Tamil Nadu government mulls corridor linking Tambaram and Chengalpattu

Tamil Nadu's Public Works Minister, Aadhav Arjuna, announced on Thursday that the government would prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to address traffic congestion along roads connecting Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Mamallapuram to Chennai. Mr. Arjuna confirmed that the Tambaram–Chengalpattu elevated corridor, previously proposed by the AIADMK government, would be considered for implementation.

Responding to former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's inquiry about the project's status, Mr. Arjuna acknowledged the former leader's point. He further revealed that the government had planned to create an eight-lane road between Chennai and Kanniyakumari during the department's demands for grants announcement. However, the project was abandoned by the DMK government.

The Minister noted that the Union Minister was willing to support the implementation of an eight-lane road, addressing the significant traffic issues faced by the region. The journey from Chennai to Kanniyakumari, spanning 300 kilometers, currently takes approximately four hours. This considerable travel time, coupled with the numerous accidents reported on the route, has prompted the government to take action.

Additionally, Mr. Arjuna highlighted the challenges faced by travelers between Tiruchirappalli and the airport, as well as the difficulty in reaching Poonamallee and Mahabalipuram from Chennai. He emphasized that preparing a DPR for the roads around Chennai and the Tambaram–Chengalpattu elevated corridor would be a crucial step in alleviating the traffic woes, which could potentially remain a concern for the next three decades.