Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways announced on 23 April 2023, saying that under the Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative, a new Greenfield Corridor Project is underway in the state of Tamil Nadu.
This involves the development of a Double Tier 4-lane Elevated Corridor from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal.
The first level of the double-decker corridor would be for light vehicles between Koyambedu and Chennai port, while the second level would be designed specifically for heavy vehicles between Chennai port and Maduravoyal.
The Minister sharing graphical images of what the corridor would look like on completion, informed that the completion of this project is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in Chennai by segregating local traffic movement onto one tier of the Elevated highway.
Earlier, in October 2022, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that the Chennai Port – Maduravoyal corridor will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹5800 crore.
The proposed elevated stretch of 20.5 km will be developed in 4 sections and will start inside the Chennai Port and end after the Maduravoyal interchange.
The project was officially launched in 2008 by the then Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister Karunanidhi.
However, the project became a victim of political vendetta with the AIADMK government coming to power in 2011.
The project saw several delays and cost escalations with unfinished pillars obstructing vehicle traffic.
The project is now expected to be completed by December 2024 and it will serve as a dedicated freight corridor for Chennai bound port traffic and increase the handling capacity of Chennai Port by 48% and subsequently reduce the waiting time at the port by 6 hours.
Additionally, it will double the handling capacity of the port, reduce waiting times at the port, and decrease travel time for vehicles bound for the port by an hour.
“The project is specifically designed to manage the expected increase in port-bound traffic, which is predicted to double by 2040 from current levels. In light of the dynamic leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, Government’s unwavering commitment lies in expediting and optimizing the mobility sector by means of unparalleled infrastructural advancements.”, Minister Gadkari said.
Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative, a new Greenfield Corridor Project is underway in the state of Tamil Nadu. This involves the development of a Double Tier 4-lane Elevated Corridor from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal.
The completion of this project is expected to alleviate… pic.twitter.com/f6AelqIlsy
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) April 23, 2023
Here’s how the elevated corridor will look.
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