Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), a vital corridor for the city’s IT industry, is set to see significant infrastructural enhancements aimed at easing traffic congestion. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced plans to construct grade separators at Sholinganallur and Thoraipakkam.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to integrate road and metro rail infrastructure, providing smoother and quicker commutes for motorists and metro users alike.The proposed grade separators will be built in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), which oversees the maintenance of OMR. The integration of these separators with the ongoing construction of the elevated phase-2 metro rail line is expected to enhance connectivity and reduce traffic bottlenecks on this busy stretch.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the contractors responsible for the OMR metro rail line, will also undertake the construction of the grade separators. CMRL has allocated an additional Rs 350 crore to facilitate this extension of their scope of work. “Our contractors, L&T and RVNL, who are building the OMR metro rail line, will also construct the grade separators at Sholinganallur and Thoraipakkam,” stated a metro rail official.The design revisions required for the grade separators and the metro line at these critical junctions have necessitated a potential extension of the project timeline. Initially slated for completion by June 2026, the OMR metro line is now expected to be operational by December 2026.
“Land acquisition for parking and station entry/exit, traffic diversions, and junction design are the main reasons for the deadline extension,” explained the official. While the elevated sections of phase-2 are likely to experience minor delays, the underground sections may face more substantial postponements.CMRL’s phase-2 metro expansion encompasses 116.1 kilometres and includes three corridors. The 20-kilometre OMR line forms a crucial part of the 45.4-kilometre corridor-3, stretching from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot. This development is expected to significantly enhance the public transport network, catering to the growing demand from Chennai’s burgeoning IT sector and residential areas along OMR. The seamless integration of road and metro infrastructure through these grade separators is poised to offer a holistic solution to the city’s traffic woes, aligning with Chennai’s broader urban development and mobility goals.
