Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor: J Kumar Emerges As Lowest Bidder For Three Packages, Work To Commence By August

A company based in Maharashtra, J Kumar, has won the bid for three out of four packages for the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor.

The 20.6 km double-decker elevated highway between Madurvoyal on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway and Napier Bridge, adjacent to Chennai Port, is being built at a cost of Rs 5,855 crore. The project entails constructing a four-lane elevated corridor.

The first level of the corridor will facilitate the movement of light motor vehicles between Koyambedu and Chennai Port, with ramps in 13 places — seven entries and six exits.

The second tier has been designed only for heavy motor vehicles between Chennai Port and Maduravoyal.

It will be constructed under the engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) mode as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

The Chennai Port, the state government and the Centre are jointly implementing the project. A detailed project report (DPR) was prepared by the NHAI, the executing agency for the project.

The contractor will design structures according to Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards, while the NHAI will provide the approved designs and dimensions.

J Kumar has quoted 15 per cent less than the estimated amount, making them the lowest bidder for this project, according to NHAI officials, reports The Hindu.

The technical evaluation of the bids has been completed, and the bidding now proceeds to the financial stage.

After the letter of acceptance is issued, the contractor will mobilise the necessary personnel, materials and machinery, which officials estimate will take place by August-September. The work to construct the two-tier corridor is scheduled to begin after the contract is signed.

The Southern Railway has given approval for the general area drawings of the two road-over bridges situated at Chintadripet and Nungambakkam, both of which are part of the alignment. However, approval is still pending for the final drawings.

According to sources, the NHAI has already acquired around 98 per cent of the land required for the project, with only the Navy portion yet to be physically taken over. The source also mentioned that after the construction of 64 houses that are meant for the Naval officers, they will be able to take possession of the property.

Significance Of The Corridor

The project is specifically designed to manage the expected increase in port-bound traffic, which is predicted to double by 2040 from current levels.

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 corridor will function as a separate route for Chennai's port traffic and boost handling capacity by 48 per cent. This will minimise waiting time by six hours.

The double-decker project is expected to be finished by December 2024.