Chennai-Tiruchy Expressway: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised its plan for the proposed greenfield expressway between Chennai and Tiruchy, aiming to reduce land acquisition. Instead of building a new expressway along the entire stretch, the authority is now considering limiting the greenfield alignment up to Tindivanam and upgrading the existing GST Road beyond that point.
Ministry Seeks Changes To Original Plan
The DT NEXT report cited NHAI sources as stating that, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways asked the authority to rework the proposal after preliminary studies showed that nearly 3,000 hectares of land would be required. Officials indicated that the project is still at an early stage, with alignment approval being the first step in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process.
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The ministry advised NHAI to explore options that would reduce land acquisition, including the possibility of widening existing highways instead of constructing a completely new corridor for the southern section.
Revised Alignment Under Consideration
Under the revised plan, the new expressway would be built only up to Tindivanam. From there, the existing four-lane GST Road would be widened into a six-lane highway, with two-lane service roads on both sides. A senior NHAI official said the final alignment is expected to be confirmed within two months.
Earlier, the expressway was planned to start near Singaperumal Koil on the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road and run parallel to the GST Road, about seven kilometres away, all the way to Tiruchy.
Overlap With Industrial Corridor
The draft alignment also clashed at two points with the proposed Cheyyar-Oragadam industrial corridor. The ministry has asked NHAI to avoid such overlaps and examine alternatives, including shifting the starting point closer to the industrial corridor.
Traffic Pressure And Local Views
NHAI officials noted that traffic between Tambaram and Chengalpattu has crossed one lakh passenger car units per day, with heavy volumes continuing towards Ulundurpet.
Some road users, however, prefer the original greenfield route.
Long delays reported near Paranur toll plaza on weekends
Congestion increasing beyond Chengalpattu over the years
Project Status In Parliament
Replying to a question raised by Tiruchy MP Durai Vaiko, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the DPR for the Chennai-Tiruchy-Madurai corridor has begun. He added that the final decision will depend on traffic needs, connectivity requirements and alignment with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.