Six-Laning of NH 45 from Paranur to Salavady Set to Begin Within a Year

The long-awaited widening of NH 45 from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam is expected to commence within a year, with the detailed project report nearing completion. The 68-kilometre stretch, part of the busy GST Road, will be expanded from four to six lanes between the Paranur toll plaza and Salavady.

The upgrade is considered vital, as the route currently sees heavy traffic, nearly 60,000 passenger car units (PCUs) daily, and has 30 at-grade intersections. More critically, the stretch from Pulipakkam Junction to Tindivanam has been identified as highly accident-prone, with 33 blackspots, according to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

“This expansion is much needed. Accidents are common on this route, especially past Paranur where road discipline tends to break down,” said K. Ramesh, a local cab operator. “If people drive responsibly, most of these accidents can be avoided.”

The ₹2,500 crore project will include continuous service lanes alongside the main carriageway to improve local connectivity and road safety. The plan involves minimal land acquisition, primarily at curves and missing links, but some challenges remain. Utility shifting especially underground water pipelines of the TWAD Board and local panchayats will be a major hurdle, as many are located beneath encroachments that must be cleared.

Blasting through small hillocks at Pulipakkam and Pazhaveli villages is also on the cards. Infrastructure upgrades include four truck lay-bays (2.5 hectares each), two rest areas (1.25 hectares each), and over 14 existing structures, flyovers and bridges to be rehabilitated, 10 to be widened, and around 15 new ones to be built.

Efforts will also be made not to relocate the vital Veeranam water pipeline, which passes close to the highway alignment for about 20 metres.

Once completed, the upgraded NH 45 will improve safety, decongest traffic, and allow for smoother travel between Chennai and the southern part of Tamil Nadu.