Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Lays Foundation for ₹2,100 Crore ECR Elevated Corridor in Chennai
In a significant development for Chennai's infrastructure, Chief Minister M K Stalin laid the foundation stone on Thursday for the ambitious ₹2,100 crore East Coast Road (ECR) elevated corridor project. This ceremony occurred just ten days after the Madras High Court vacated an interim stay that had temporarily halted the finalization of the project's tender.
Legal Hurdle Cleared for Project Launch
The court had initially granted the interim stay following a petition from the L2 contractor, who alleged that his technical qualifications were unfairly overlooked and that the L1 bidder was selected improperly. With this legal obstacle removed, the state government moved swiftly to initiate the project, which is set to transform traffic flow along a critical coastal stretch.
Project Details and Implementation Model
The Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority (TANSHA) will oversee the implementation of this major infrastructure initiative. The elevated corridor will span approximately 13.30 kilometers between Thiruvanmiyur and Uthandi, addressing chronic congestion in this busy area.
Key implementation aspects include:
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode: The project will be executed under the hybrid annuity model (HAM), a popular framework for infrastructure development.
- Financial Structure: As explained by an official, this model means the corridor will function as an end-to-end toll facility. The contractor will bear the entire project cost initially and recover the investment through toll collections over time.
Design Specifications and Traffic Management
Engineered to handle substantial traffic volumes, the four-lane elevated corridor features a width of 17.25 meters and a vertical clearance of 5.5 meters to accommodate two-way movement efficiently. The alignment begins just ahead of the ECR-Lattice Bridge Road junction in Thiruvanmiyur and concludes at Uthandi.
Strategic entry and exit ramps will be constructed at crucial locations to enhance accessibility and reduce congestion. These include the Thiruvanmiyur regional transport office, Neelankarai, and Akkarai. Additionally, major junctions such as Akkarai, Neelankarai, and Lattice Bridge Road will undergo significant upgrades to improve traffic flow.
To further alleviate congestion, select stretches of the existing road beneath the corridor will be widened into six lanes, providing additional capacity for local traffic.
Modern Infrastructure and Environmental Features
The project incorporates several advanced and environmentally conscious elements:
- Rainwater Harvesting: Systems will be installed between the piers of the elevated structure to capture and utilize rainwater effectively.
- Lighting: Continuous LED lighting will illuminate the entire elevated stretch, enhancing safety and visibility.
- Road Infrastructure: Modern amenities include precise lane markings, clear signage, reflective and solar-powered studs, noise barriers, and crash barriers to ensure a safe and efficient driving experience.
Coordination for Smooth Execution
Recognizing the potential for disruption during construction, the highways department is actively coordinating with traffic police authorities. This collaboration aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow on the ECR and prevent snarls while the project is underway, minimizing inconvenience for daily commuters.
This elevated corridor represents a major step forward in Chennai's urban development, promising to decongest one of the city's busiest routes while incorporating sustainable and modern engineering practices.
