TN to Prepare DPR for Tambaram-Chengalpattu Elevated Corridor

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna announced in the Assembly on Thursday that the Tamil Nadu government will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to ease traffic congestion on key routes connecting to Chennai, including the proposed elevated corridor between Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

The announcement came in response to a query raised by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami regarding the status of the Tambaram–Chengalpattu elevated corridor project conceived during the AIADMK regime. Mr. Palaniswami stated that the Union government was ready to execute the project, but alleged that it had been put on hold by the current DMK administration.

Responding to the issue, Mr. Arjuna acknowledged the necessity of the project and stated that the government has directed officials to prepare a DPR for an eight-lane road between Chennai and Kanniyakumari, as well as the elevated corridor between Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

Highlighting the severe traffic bottlenecks around Chennai, the Minister pointed out that while the journey from Tiruchi to Chengalpattu takes four hours, covering the remaining distance from Chengalpattu to the airport requires an additional three hours. He noted similar traffic challenges on routes between Bengaluru and Poonamallee via Tiruvallur, and along the Mahabalipuram-Chennai corridor.

Mr. Arjuna said the government had earlier held an hour-long discussion with the Union Minister on managing heavy traffic and accident rates along the Kanniyakumari-Chennai stretch. He added that an eight-lane road would help resolve traffic issues for the next 30 years and confirmed that state officials are scheduled to meet the Union Minister next week to take steps toward implementing the project.