The six-lane Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR)

Chennai: With the completion of the first phase of the six-lane Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR), the highways department has intensified efforts to acquire lands for the second phase of the work. The CPRR is a 133.64-km greenfield, access-controlled six-lane corridor being implemented at an estimated project cost of Rs 17,958 crore.

At present, the vehicles going to the far end of Chennai and the suburban areas in the west and northern side cross the city. So, the roads leading into Chennai like the Chennai-Tiruchi national highway, East Coast Road and Poonamalee high road are congested with heavy traffic. To put an end to this problem, the highways department planned the six-lane peripheral ring road around the city to connect the outer areas. The CPRR will provide connectivity to the Ennore and Kattupalli ports and the neighbouring States without entering Chennai.
The CPRR, which allows travel at a speed of 120 kilometre per hour, will link the Chennai-Tiruchi national highway, Chennai-Bengaluru expressway, Chennai-Kolkata highway, Chennai-Tirupati national highway and the East Coast Road. Thus the road will connect Chennai with Andhra, Karnataka, northern States and southern districts through its link with the East Coast Road to pave way for smooth and quick movement around Chennai without entering the city’s congested traffic. The road will also provide a quick way to the Ennore harbour from all the places in the country, boosting the import and export of commodities. At present vehicles going to the Ennore harbour are delayed by severe traffic congestion at Minjur and Ponneri.
The corridor is designed to improve regional connectivity, facilitate efficient movement of freight and provide direct linkage between major National Highways, industrial areas and the ports of Ennore & Kattupalli. The project is expected to provide an alternative route for through-traffic, reduce pressure on the urban road network of Chennai, improve access to industrial and logistics centres and support the economic development of the Chennai Metropolitan Region and adjoining districts.
The road work is taken up in five phases comprising Ennore Harbour (Kattupalli) to Thatchur for a distance of 25 kilometres, Thachur to Tiruvallur for 26 kilometres, Thiruvallur to Sriperumbudur for 24 kilometres, Sriperumbudur to Singaperumalkoil for 27 kilometres and Singaperumalkoil to Mamallapuram Pooncheri for the remaining 30 kilometres.
Sections I to III are being implemented with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development. The ongoing works in these sections, covering approximately 82 km are being implemented at a cost of about Rs 12,375.59 crore.
The first phase of road laying work between Thatchur to Thiruvallur bypass road for a distance of 26 kilometres was completed. For the second phase of the road work, the officials have started the land acquisition process. The government had decided to take lands in Ekkadu Kandigai . The highways has issued a notification saying that the land owners who have objections could convey them to the SIDCO branch office in Ambattur Industrial Estate in writing. The officials are analysing the road works and the various help needed for the contractors to take up the road laying work.
The land acquisition for the first phase delayed the project as the stretch was the most challenging since there are many water bodies and high-voltage power transmission lines. The construction of the subways and culverts went on without hurdles. The second phase of the project from Thatchur to Thiruvallur had progressed at a faster rate compared to the first phase. The stretch from Sriperumbudur to Singaperumalkoil is fully complete and the only service lanes remain to be laid for the smooth flow of traffic. The acquisition of land for the service roads had started. For the stretch from Singaperumalkoil to Mamallapuram, land acquisition is in progress.
The green field expressway is expected to transform the city’s transporting facilities, decongest the traffic in Chennai and heavily reduce the travel time to the neighbouring States and southern districts. It will also provide a quick way to the Ennore harbour from all the places in the country, boosting the import and export of commodities. At present vehicles going to the Ennore harbour are delayed by severe traffic congestion at Minjur and Ponneri. The road will have 8 big bridges, 7 small bridges, a subway for all kinds of vehicles, 3 subways for light vehicles, 11 subways for small vehicles, 2 railway bridges, 76 culverts, 4 lorry parking areas and 10 bus parking areas.
The road also connects Ennore, Thachur, Tiruvallur, Sriperumbudur, Vandalur, Singaperumalkoil and Mamallapuram without having the need to enter the city. The heavy vehicles carrying loads for the industries will have a free path around the city boosting industrial growth. Since many vehicles need not enter the city, the pollution levels too will come down and fuel usage too will be reduced.
The project will connect the industrial areas of Padappai, Oragadam, Sriperumbudur with the IT corridor in the East besides linking them with the rest of Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring States providing an easy and quick route for the transport of raw materials and finished goods.
Another road will be laid to connect the East Coast Road with the Old Mahabalipuram Road with an iron bridge across the Buckingham canal. People could move across the East Coast Road, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai-Tiruchi national highway and the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road through the bridge.
The project will enhance urban mobility within Chennai city by reducing congestion and minimising the greenhouse gas emissions. Once the section of CPRR is completed, vehicles need not enter the East Coast Road or the Chennai-Tiruchi national highway. They can take diversion from Poonjeri and Singeperumal koil to go to the outer areas of the city in the north and west. This will reduce the traffic congestion at the southern entry points of the city.
Besides, bringing an end to the traffic woes in the city, both sides of the six-lane road for a distance of 132 kilometre is expected to be dotted with industries, business establishments, shops and multi-storied apartments, leading to the formation of hundreds of residential areas and rapid economic growth.

THE GAMECHANGER

Chennai Peripheral Ring Road planned for 133 kilometres from Ennore to Mamallapuram.

Road connects Chennai with Andhra, Karnataka and northern States.

Provides quick access to southern districts, free up Chennai’s entry points.

Decongests Chennai traffic as vehicles can move around city to Ennore.

Air and noise pollution besides fuel usage to come down in city.

Connects Tiruchi highway, ECR and Poonamalee high road.

Links Chennai-Bengaluru expressway, Chennai-Kolkata highway, Chennai-Tirupati highway.

Road links Ennore, Thachur, Tiruvallur, Sriperumbudur, Vandalur, Singaperumalkoil and Mamallapuram.

Links industrial areas of Padappai, Oragadam, Sriperumbudur and IT corridor.

Heavy vehicles from neighbouring State can go to Ennore port without entering city.

Saves time as vehicles can travel at 120 kilometre per hour speed.

Decongests traffic at Minjur and Ponneri, project taken up in 5 phases.

Both sides of CPRR to be dotted with industries, business establishments, multi-storied apartments, gated communities.

Eight big bridges, 7 small bridges, 2 railway bridges, 76 culverts.

A subway for all kinds of vehicles, 3 subways for light vehicles, 11 subways for small vehicles.

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