Japan funds sought for road

Chennai Peripheral Road will extend from Mamallapuram to Ennore Port

The State government has sought JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) funding for the 162-km-long Chennai Peripheral Road from Mamallapuram to Ennore Port.

The proposed six-lane road will connect Singaperumalkoil, Sriperumbudur, Tiruvallur, Thamaraipakkam, Periyapalayam and Puduvayal.

A major part of the road, likely to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 4,260 crore, is expected to take shape with financial assistance from JICA.

Large tracts of land may be acquired for the project, which is likely to increase the project cost.

The alignment is expected to be finalised shortly by the consultant without disturbing major residential settlements. The project will also cover a number of bridges.

Over half of the project will involve formation of roads. The stretch connecting Mamallapuram and Singaperumal Koil is likely to be newly laid. Ponneri and Kattupalli will also be connected by a new road.

Existing roads, including Singaperumal Koil-Sriperumbudur Road (23 km), Sriperumbudur-Tiruvallur Road (18 km), Thamaraipakkam-Periyapalayam road (12 km) and Puduvoyal-Pulicat Road (6 km), are likely to be expanded to six-laners under the project.

The peripheral road was part of CMDA’s second master plan for the Chennai metropolitan area (CMA) to facilitate high-speed connectivity in the suburbs and reduce congestion in the metropolitan area. Industrial areas such as Oragadam, Singaperumalkoil, Maraimalai Nagar, Sriperumbudur and Tiruvallur will enjoy better connectivity through the road.

Technical cooperation and loans by JICA for infrastructure development in the CMA are expected to promote investment made by Japanese investors in the State. The project, if funded by JICA, will also ensure connectivity for Japanese industrial units in the suburbs.

The land acquisition process is likely to begin next year in some stretches following approval from the government. Following the acquisition, the project will be implemented in 18 months, sources said.