Chennai Outer Ring Road To Get A Major Infrastructure Upgrade

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) will soon draft a master plan to develop 770 acres of land along the 62 kilometre Chennai Outer Ring Road (CORR). Recently, 22 state departments were consulted regarding the development of the 50 metre strip along the eastern side of the 62 km long stretch.

CMDA planners have been developing ideas. They proposed a horticulture garden near the Red Hills catchment area, as well as playgrounds, and parks in areas where development is not permitted.

The CORR was developed as per the first master plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area to relieve traffic congestion in the city. C​​ORR connects NH45 at Vandalur, NH4 at Nazarathpet, NH 205 at Nemilichery, NH5 at Nallur and TPP Road at Minjur. It was developed in two phases. The first phase, between Vandalur and‌ Nemilichery, was open for public use in 2014. The second phase of 30 km connecting Nemilichery with Minjur was completed in 2021.

The second master plan has identified areas along CORR as potential areas for future growth. The total strip of land acquired for the development of the ORR corridor is 122 m, of which 50 m will be used for road development (25 m for each carriageway). An area of 22 m between left and right carriageways is reserved for public transport corridors (PTC) while the remaining 50 m wide strip is reserved for commercial purposes.

In accordance with this, Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan announced this initiative of commercial development along CORR, while presenting the state budget earlier this year.

Recently, the minister said that “the area will host large-scale industrial, commercial and housing units that will ensure holistic growth. We will conserve the green belts and create several recreational spaces. We also plan to implement plug-and-play facilities for industrial development”.

According to the Times of India, CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra, the development will consider the existing characteristics of the land. He also said, “Lakefronts will be developed and integrated with Thirumalaisai satellite town. There will be differential FSI for the area around this road”.

The master plan will also integrate existing habitations. It includes developing facilities for police patrolling, toilets, petrol bunks, and sports grounds as well.

Planners at the CMDA said the master plan would include improvements to junctions, apart from creating urban squares, pedestrian footpaths, waterfront developments, accessible parks, theme-based parks, and horticulture parks. Additionally, lithium battery industrial units will also be ‌on the stretch.

The proposed ideas for development include:

1) Vandalur To Mudichur Stretch

• Integrated residential township

• A recreational zone around Vandalur lake

2) Mudichur To Kundrathur Stretch

• A cluster of wayside amenities

• Industrial housing

3) Kundrathur To Poonamallee Stretch

• MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) centre

• Integrated mixed use township

• Racing circuit

4) Poonamallee To Nemilichery Stretch

• Sipcot industrial park

5) Nemilichery To Morai Stretch

• Knowledge hub and centre of excellence

6) Morai To Red Hills stretch

• Centralised disaster management unit

7) Red Hills To Arumandai Stretch

• Lithium industrial park

8) Kandigai to Minjur stretch

• Solid waste management plant