Construction of Three Major Elevated Corridors in Chennai to Begin Next Year
Chennai is set to undergo significant road infrastructure upgrades in the near future, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) preparing to launch the construction of three new elevated corridors in the city in the next fiscal year. The ambitious projects aim to tackle the growing traffic congestion in and around Chennai, providing much-needed relief to commuters while boosting regional connectivity.
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the elevated corridors will span over key stretches of National Highways 48 (NH-48) and 45 (NH-45), with a combined length of over 40 kilometres. These projects will not only reduce traffic bottlenecks but also streamline the flow of freight and long-distance vehicles, which are often the major contributors to congestion. The three elevated corridors are expected to significantly improve road infrastructure in the city’s busiest zones. The first corridor will connect Maduravoyal to the Chennai Outer Ring Road (CORR) on NH-48, covering a distance of 8.1 kilometres. The second stretch will link the CORR to Sriperumbudur, spanning 13.1 kilometres, and the third elevated corridor will run between Kilambakkam and Mahindra World City on NH-45, covering an 18-kilometre stretch. According to Gadkari, the Maduravoyal to CORR elevated road will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,476.8 crore, while the second phase, the corridor from CORR to Sriperumbudur, will amount to Rs 1,808.4 crore. The Kilambakkam to Mahindra World City corridor is slated to cost Rs 2,950 crore, marking one of the largest investments in Chennai’s road infrastructure.
The construction of these elevated roads will take place in phases. The first phase, which covers the stretch from Maduravoyal to the Outer Ring Road (ORR), is expected to begin shortly, with no major alignment issues foreseen. The new elevated corridor will be integrated with the double-decker Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Road, which is set to begin after the completion of the Maduravoyal bypass and the land acquisition for the ORR. The second phase, from ORR to Sriperumbudur, will begin once the alignment is finalised in collaboration with the Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL). CMRL is currently studying how the metro line, planned to connect Parandur Airport and Poonamallee, can be integrated with the elevated road to ensure smoother transportation for commuters. The elevated stretches will feature entry and exit points at both ends, catering primarily to freight and long-distance vehicles to alleviate congestion at junctions and at-grade crossings. The 18-kilometre elevated corridor between Kilambakkam and Mahindra World City has faced delays due to previous proposals. Originally planned as a 27-kilometre elevated road from Tambaram to Chengalpattu, the NHAI has now revised the project scope to focus on the Kilambakkam to Mahindra World City stretch. This corridor will ease traffic on the busy GST Road, especially during weekends and festival times when congestion is typically at its peak.
In addition to the elevated corridors, Gadkari revealed other significant road projects. The NHAI will be working on the six-laning of the 67.1-kilometre Chengalpattu to Tindivanam stretch, with an investment of Rs 3,853 crore. Additionally, the 47-kilometre Marakkanam to Puducherry section of the East Coast Road (ECR) will be expanded to four lanes at a cost of Rs 1,943 crore. For the people of Chennai, these projects bring hope for smoother, faster commutes, particularly on the congested roads connecting the city’s industrial hubs and key suburbs. Thousands of commuters who face daily delays, especially on the heavily trafficked GST Road and the stretch to Sriperumbudur, are looking forward to the improvements. The elevated corridors promise to not only alleviate long-standing traffic woes but also support economic growth by easing the movement of goods and people across critical routes. Residents and businesses in the areas around these corridors will also benefit from better connectivity, which will improve access to the city’s commercial centres and airports. With the projects slated to begin next year, Chennai’s future transport landscape looks set for a major transformation.
