Highway dept to widen road for Rs 98 cr

The Tamil Nadu Highways Department would carry out a Rs 98 crore project to widen a 22-km stretch of the Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road into four lanes. Once completed, the width of the section, between Padi and Thiruninravur, will increase from 10-12 metre to 20 metre. The department is expediting the demarcation of boundaries for the project, which remained on papers for several years. Some reports suggest that the project may be completed early next year. The officials would conduct survey of the stretch between Thirumullaivoyal and Thiruninravur soon. The survey will be completed in 10 days. Project estimates are also being prepared simultaneously, to speed up work. Already, officials have completed survey for a nearly 3-km stretch between the Ambattur Telephone Exchange and the Uzhavar Sandhai complex. The project, which is being taken up under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme, will benefit nearly eight lakh suburban residents who use the road to reach the city.