Over 92% of the work on the second phase of the Chennai Outer Ring Road (CORR) project from Nemilicheri to Minjur has been completed and traffic is likely to be officially allowed on it in two months.
Already, motorists are using 29 km of the 30 km-long road. Only two stretches — one at Nemilichery and the other at Vellanur — are to be completed. At Nemilichery, the retaining wall for the road, which is elevated in most places, is being constructed with motorists using the service lane for a short distance, explained sources in the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), which is the project manager for the road.
Almost all the 143 structures, including one interchange, one major bridge, six minor bridges, 13 vehicular underpasses, one flyover and 106 box culverts, have been completed in the second phase.
“Land for the project was acquired by the CMDA. But they seem to have made a mistake as far as one stretch is concerned. So we have taken that up now,” explained an official. The project is likely to be completed by December and even before that, a small traffic diversion is likely to be introduced at Vellanur to facilitate the smooth movement of traffic.
Shelters and signage
Apart from the road work, lighting, installation of bus shelters and signage are under progress. “The trial for lighting has been completed for over 16 km in the second phase,” the official said. Though the first phase was opened for traffic a couple of years ago, work on two interchanges at Vandalur on the NH 45 and at Nazarathpet on the NH 4 are under progress. “Since the signboards are small and there are not many that show directions, it is confusing as to which side I should get on. The signs should be bigger and more visible,” said Kothandam, a cab driver.
Residents said the road surface at Nemilichery must be improved. “There are no lights at the point on the NH, which has become an accident-prone spot. Vehicles getting off the first phase use this stretch to get on to phase two. We are not sure to whom we should complain,” said Varadhan, a resident of Poonamallee.
