Udhayanidhi Stalin Flags Off Phase III of ₹16,212-Crore Chennai Peripheral Ring Road

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday flagged off work on Phase III of the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR), a major infrastructure project to organize freight traffic and enhance connectivity in the state.

The event, organised at Tiruvallur, was graced by Highways Minister E.V. Velu and top government officials. The CPRR is an access-controlled, six-lane highway planned to skirt the city roads of Chennai and connect southern Tamil Nadu’s industrial enclaves to major ports such as Ennore and Kattupalli. The whole project of 132.87-km is being implemented at the expense of ₹16,212 crore, backed by the World Bank and global agencies.

Phase III Details

Phase III is 30.1 km long from Tiruvallur Bypass to Sriperumbudur, and has two-lane service roads on either side. Estimated to cost ₹2,689.74 crore, the phase will be constructed in three packages:

• Tiruvallur Bypass to Venkathur (10.4 km): ₹1,133.2 crore
• Venkathur to Chengadu (10 km): ₹593.27 crore
• Chengadu to Sriperumbudur (9.7 km): ₹963.27 crore

The segment will include two major flyovers, a road overbridge, and two significant bridges.

Project Progress

The CPRR is split into five phases:

• Phase I (Ennore Port–Thatchur, 25.4 km): Launched in 2021, 35% complete; cost: ₹4,290 crores.
• Phase II (Thatchur–Tiruvallur Bypass): 68% completed; cost: ₹2,259 crore.
• Phase IV (Sriperumbudur–SP Koil, 23.5 km): Completed using state funds. DPR is underway for access-controlled upgrades.
• Phase V (SP Koil–Poonjeri): Land acquisition ongoing; encroachments being cleared.

Strategic Impact

Once operational, the CPRR will drastically cut travel time for cargo between southern Tamil Nadu and northern ports, and improve road safety with its access-controlled design. Only tolled vehicles will use the main six-lane corridor, while free service roads will serve local traffic.

Highway officials said surveys are ongoing to assess the need for additional bridges and underpasses, especially in upgraded stretches. The state government sees the CPRR as a cornerstone in its push to build world-class road infrastructure and fuel economic growth.