Chennai ECR widening: Kovalam to Akkarai six-lane project to finish by January 2026
The 8.6-kilometre widening project of ECR, a crucial artery for commuters and tourists, has been hampered for years by delays in land acquisition. Highways Minister E.V. Velu confirmed that the final obstacles have been removed.
Chennai: Two major infrastructure projects aimed at decongesting Chennai's vital IT corridor and coastal route are reaching critical milestones. The long-delayed six-laning of the East Coast Road (ECR) from Kovalam to Akkarai is now expected to be completed by the end of January 2026, while plans for a new link bridge between ECR and OMR are advancing rapidly.
ECR Widening: Land Acquisition Hurdles Cleared, January Deadline Set
The 8.6-kilometre widening project of ECR, a crucial artery for commuters and tourists, has been hampered for years by delays in land acquisition. Highways Minister E.V. Velu confirmed that the final obstacles have been removed. According to officials from the Highways Department, land acquisition for the remaining 1.2 km stretch is nearly complete, with deficiencies in land documents now rectified. The compensation process for landowners is imminent, paving the way for the project's final leg.
The project, initially announced in 2005 with a ₹10 crore allocation, has a chequered history, stalling due to court cases and the COVID-19 pandemic. While work gained momentum in 2018-19, it is only in the past year that significant progress has been made.
Resident Concerns: Traffic Management and Design Flaws Emerge
Despite the progress, local residents have raised concerns about the project's implementation. They report that vehicles are now forced to park on the newly constructed outer lanes, leaving only the two middle lanes for through traffic. This has eliminated overtaking opportunities, leading to consistently slow travel speeds and highlighting the need for better traffic management.
Residents also point to design issues, noting that the road and accompanying stormwater drains are crooked due to the irregular shape of the acquired land. Additional problems include overgrown grass near drains in areas like Injambakkam and newly built footpaths being encroached upon, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.
New ECR-OMR Link Bridge to Ease Congestion, Tenders Soon
In a parallel development aimed at transforming connectivity, the Tamil Nadu Highways Department has released design drawings for a new link bridge across the Buckingham Canal. The proposed ECR-OMR iron link bridge will connect Thoraipakkam on OMR with Neelankarai on ECR.
The approximately 1.465 km long, four-lane bridge is designed to significantly reduce traffic congestion at major bottlenecks like Sholinganallur and Thiruvanmiyur. The project, estimated to cost ₹37 crore, will include a 36-meter-long bridge, bunds, and approach roads. The department has applied for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, and the tender process is expected to commence shortly, marking a significant step forward for this much-anticipated infrastructure solution.