Chief Minister MK Stalin virtually laid the foundation stone for the construction of a four-lane elevated road corridor from Thiruvanmiyur to Uthandi along the East Coast Road (ECR) to ease traffic congestion on Chennai's arterial route. The 13-km corridor will pass through Thiruvanmiyur, Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Vettuvankeni, Injambakkam, Sholinganallur and Panaiyur before reaching Uthandi. Highway Minister EV Velu attended the event. The elevated structure has been designed to begin near the ECR-Lattice Bridge Road junction in Thiruvanmiyur and to terminate at Uthandi, with a width of 17.25 metres and a height of five point five metres to accommodate two-way traffic. Entry and exit ramps will be provided at key locations such as the Thiruvanmiyur RTO, Neelankarai and Akkarai to improve access. Major junctions including Akkarai, Neelankarai and Lattice Bridge Road will be addressed and select existing roads will be widened to six lanes to aid traffic dispersal. The corridor will feature modern road infrastructure, including lane markings, traffic signage, reflective and solar-powered studs, noise barriers and safety barricades, and will incorporate rainwater harvesting systems in the spaces between pillars alongside continuous LED lighting. KNR Constructions Pvt Ltd has been engaged to deliver the project under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The contract envisages a construction period of three years, followed by five years of maintenance under the terms of the agreement. The work is being taken up by the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority and officials said the scheme, described as the longest elevated road project in the State, is expected to improve safety, increase travel speed and enhance commuter convenience on the ECR amid rising traffic volumes. The project cost is estimated at Rs 21 billion (Rs 21 bn). A Division Bench on February 16 disposed of an appeal by Dilip Buildcon by directing the company to file its challenge before the competent authority within five days and for the authority to consider and dispose of the matter within 10 days, with a directive that no work order be issued until the appeal is decided.