NHAI shelves Madhavaram–Nallur elevated corridor plan; hands project to State Highways Department

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has officially dropped its long-pending proposal to construct an elevated corridor between Madhavaram and Nallur toll gate in North Chennai. The 10.3 km stretch, part of the Madhavaram–Cholavaram section, has become a major traffic bottleneck, with motorists spending nearly 70 to 90 minutes during peak hours to cover just 10 km.

According to officials, the decision came after repeated delays and lack of cooperation from the Tamil Nadu government. The NHAI has now decided to hand over the stretch to the State Highways Department, effectively shelving the proposal for the elevated corridor that was expected to ease congestion and improve traffic flow toward Andhra Pradesh.

Local residents and welfare associations have voiced strong disappointment over the decision. S. Suresh Babu, president of the Bilakuppam Village Welfare Association, stated that crucial infrastructure projects in North Chennai are not receiving adequate attention. He pointed out that the NHAI is currently executing the ₹5,570 crore Chennai Port–Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway and has also invited bids for a ₹1,241 crore, 8.14 km elevated corridor between Maduravoyal and Poonamallee. “If such large-scale projects are possible in other congested areas of the city, why is the Madhavaram–Nallur corridor being abandoned?” he questioned.

Residents say the heavy congestion not only affects daily commuters but also hampers emergency response. Ambulances, government buses, and freight vehicles from Gummidipundi reportedly take close to two hours to reach Central Chennai due to the gridlock.

Officials indicated that the NHAI had earlier faced similar challenges in land acquisition and coordination during projects in the Chennai suburban belt. A 22 km stretch between Padi and Thiruninravur was handed over to the State Highways Department in 2012 for similar reasons.

With the elevated corridor plan now shelved, motorists using the Madhavaram–Nallur route may have to continue enduring severe traffic congestion until the State Highways Department formulates an alternate plan.