The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has greenlit the construction of a six-lane elevated corridor in Chennai, spanning from Poonamallee to Madhuravoyal. This infrastructure project, estimated to cost ₹1,250 crore, aims to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the city’s western region. The elevated corridor, approximately 8.1 kilometers long, will facilitate smooth transit for vehicles entering Chennai from Bengaluru, Krishnagiri, and Vellore. Tenders for the project were issued on Tuesday, with construction expected to commence within three months and a completion target of two and a half years. The design includes entry and exit points only at the beginning and end, with no intermediate ramps. Tolls will be levied on the corridor. Project Director I.S. Janakumaran stated that the project will maintain a total of 10 lanes, including service lanes, to minimize traffic disruption during construction. He also noted that this corridor will significantly reduce travel time. When connected to a future 13 km corridor, the 22 km distance will be covered in less than 20 minutes, compared to the current hour-long journey. This project is also expected to benefit Chennai Port by accelerating cargo movement and improving its operational capacity. Local residents have suggested improvements to service lanes and expediting the construction timeline. Meanwhile, NHAI is also working on other projects like the Thiruvarur bypass and a national expressway in Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
