CHENNAI: As Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is working on the proposed 42 km elevated corridor between Chennai Airport and Chengalpattu, the National Highway Authority is considering a 30 km elevated stretch from Tambaram to Chengalpattu and work on this is expected to start by 2020. This is aimed at decongesting the arterial NH 45.
B L Meena, NHAI Regional officer, told Express that the elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpattu will be taken up after the tender period for developing the four lane corridor in the stretch by GMR gets over by 2019.
The work would be awarded after a detailed project report is filed. “Initially, the idea is to have an elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpattu and later develop an eight-lane highway from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam,” said Meena. “We have planned a four-lane elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpattu. But, once the feasibility study is being carried out, we could even go in for a six-lane elevated corridor,” he added.
This would mean that motorists could soon drive freely from Tamabaram to Chengalpattu without the hindrance of traffic in Perungulathur and Guduvancherry.
Asked about the state government working on a 42 km elevated corridor project from Airport to Chengalpattu, Meena assured to extend assistance. But, the NHAI was yet to hear from the state over dividing the work on the elevated corridor project.
The state government has already prepared a feasibility report for the elevated highway. “The work was given to consultant CDM Smith and the report has been submitted to CMDA,” sources said. It is learnt that the state government would take a final decision on the 42 km elevated corridor by next month.
State Highway sources told Express that the issue bothering policy makers over the feasibility of the CMDA proposed elevated corridor is the cost to be charged from motorists. “Usually, it is Rs 1 per kilometre. But the cost worked upon for the elevated stretch is Rs 10 per kilometre, which is too high,” said sources.
Factfile
CMDA proposes 42 km elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpattu
CDM Smith appointed consultant and the report submitted to State govt
TN to take a decision next month
NHAI also plans to have a 30 km elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpattu