Anbumani Hails Move To Cancel Rs 21 Billion (bn) Corridor Contract

16 Jun 2026 CW Team

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss welcomed reports that the State government is considering cancelling the contract awarded to KNR Constructions for the proposed Rs 21 bn elevated corridor between Thiruvanmiyur and Uthandi on Chennai's East Coast Road. He said the announcement followed sustained public concern over the project cost and the procurement process.

He alleged that the project involved a Rs seven bn financial irregularity and urged the Vijay government to cancel the contract immediately and order a CBI investigation into the alleged corruption and procedural violations. He said he had been consistently demanding cancellation since the contract was awarded to Hyderabad-based KNR Constructions in December 2024. He maintained that the decision required close scrutiny.

Anbumani maintained that a competing bidder, Madhya Pradesh-based Dilip Buildcon, had offered to execute the project for around Rs 14 bn, which he said was about Rs seven bn less than the approved project cost. He alleged that the previous administration rejected that bid without providing any valid reason and nevertheless awarded the contract to KNR. The claim, he said, raised serious questions about transparency in the tendering process.

He argued that the estimated cost of the Thiruvanmiyur Uthandi elevated corridor appeared disproportionately high and contended the work could be completed at significantly lower expenditure. He said the contract effectively placed an additional Rs seven bn burden on the public exchequer and amounted to a betrayal of taxpayers. Those assertions underpinned his call for a formal inquiry.

He welcomed reports that the government was reviewing the contract, saying the move indicated that scrutiny of the alleged irregularities was under way and that the truth was beginning to emerge. He urged the Vijay government to terminate the contract with KNR Constructions and to commission a CBI probe without delay.

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