Chennai Green Committee Approves NHAI's Tree Removal Plan For Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had put forth a proposal to the Chennai District Green Committee to remove approximately 2,200 trees near the Maduravoyal flyover to make way for the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway Project.

Yesterday (10 July), the Chennai District Green Committee approved the cutting of 1,000 trees in the initial phase to facilitate the project, as per DT NEXT report.

These trees were initially planted by the Forest Department with funding from NHAI, as part of a Rs 6.64 crore afforestation initiative along the Chennai bypass under the Green Highways Policy, 2015, of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

A memorandum of understanding signed between NHAI and the Forest Department in 2018 stipulated that NHAI could commence developmental or widening activities on the land before the contractual maintenance period ends, with provisions for tree harvesting.

Under the guidelines, NHAI is obligated to plant 10 trees for every tree felled or provide funds to the forest department for tree planting and maintenance on available land within Chennai.

Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway Project

The double-decker corridor, spanning 21 kilometres, will connect Chennai Port with the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway and the industrial corridors at Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.

The first level of the corridor facilitates the movement of light vehicles between Koyambedu and Chennai Port. The corridor has ramps for entry and exit at 13 different locations.

They include Chintadripet, Monteith Road, Binny Road, Spurtank Road, Aminjikarai Police Station, Kamaraj Salai, Sivananda Salai, College Road and Arumbakkam.

The second level was designed specifically for heavy motor vehicles between Chennai Port and Maduravoyal.

Currently, cargo traffic from the south or west region of the state has to detour through the Outer Ring Road at Perungalathur towards Maduravoyal, Red Hills, Tiruvottiyur and enter the Chennai Port in Royapuram — nearly 75 km away, taking about two hours.

However, using the proposed elevated corridor will take just 45 minutes.

The project will serve as a dedicated freight corridor for Chennai-bound port traffic and increase the handling capacity of Chennai Port by 48 per cent and reduce the waiting time at the port by six hours.