Bengaluru/Chennai: In a significant relief for long-distance travellers, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has opened a newly constructed six-lane elevated corridor on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 44) in Ambur town, Tirupattur. The corridor, inaugurated on Wednesday, aims to ease congestion and improve traffic flow along the busy highway stretch.
Key Features of the Elevated Corridor
The 1.5 km-long elevated corridor, built by a private infrastructure firm on behalf of NHAI, is expected to streamline both local and long-distance traffic. According to NHAI officials, the new structure will help decongest the route while providing safe passage for local motorists. Residents and travellers alike are expected to benefit from reduced traffic chaos, especially in accident-prone zones, a Hindu report said.
Project Background and Cost
Originally sanctioned in 2011, the corridor has been constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore. It stretches between the Rajiv Gandhi Statue and ORR Theatre, covering one of Tirupattur district’s most accident-prone locations.
On one side of the highway, there are residential colonies, while the opposite side houses essential public utilities such as a bus terminus, government hospitals, schools, banks, and offices. Commuters previously had to take a detour of 2-3 km to cross the stretch, particularly at night when the high-speed movement of vehicles made crossing dangerous.
Design and Safety Features
The corridor spans 1,450 metres in length and 11 metres in width for the main carriageway, with an 8-metre-wide service road on either side for two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and smaller vehicles. Additional features include stormwater drains, high-mast lamps, LED streetlights, reflectors, and warning signboards to enhance road safety.
Vehicular Underpasses for Safer Crossings
To further enhance connectivity, NHAI has also constructed three vehicular underpasses at Vengili, Girisamudiram, and Minnur villages near Ambur. Each underpass, measuring 12 metres in width and 5.5 metres in height, is designed to accommodate buses and trucks, allowing local residents to safely cross the highway. This initiative, completed at a cost of Rs 34 crore, provides a crucial alternative for commuters in these areas.
Traffic Volume and Impact
According to NHAI’s traffic study, more than 75,000 vehicles—primarily trucks and container lorries—use this stretch daily to travel between Chennai and Bengaluru.
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