Elevated Corridor to Transform Chennai Traffic: NHAI Approves Major Infrastructure Project

In an effort to bolster infrastructure in the western part of Chennai, the NHAI has given the go-ahead for a six-lane elevated corridor between Poonamallee and Madhuravoyal. The project, with an estimated budget of ₹1,250 crore, is designed to provide seamless access for vehicles coming from key areas like Bengaluru, Krishnagiri, and Vellore. Tenders for the 8.1 km long flyover were released this Tuesday, with construction scheduled to begin in the next three months. The corridor will feature entry and exit points at the beginning and end, with no mid-way access, and will be a toll road. The project is expected to be completed in two and a half years. According to I.S. Janakumaran, the project director in Chennai, about 90,000 vehicles utilize this section of road daily. While the specifics of the cost-bearing process are still being finalized, pile and pier work is slated to commence on one lane on each side. Janakumaran has assured that a total of 10 lanes, including service lanes, will remain available during construction, minimizing traffic impact. This elevated corridor promises to significantly reduce travel times. Commuters will be able to travel 22 km in under 20 minutes when connected to the Outer Ring Road and Sriperumbudur corridor. The project is also expected to benefit Chennai Port by speeding up cargo movement. Local residents have proposed improvements to the service lanes and accelerating the construction period. Furthermore, NHAI is concurrently working on a four-lane Thiruvarur bypass and a section of the National Expressway-7.