In a few months’ time, motorists may have to pay toll to use the northern segment of Inner Ring Road, beyond Madhavaram.
A toll plaza is to come up on the road as part of the Ennore-Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP). The rates will be fixed after approval from the State government, said an official of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
EMRIP involves widening of four roads — Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri-Panchetti Road, Manali Oil Refinery Road, Ennore Expressway and Inner Ring Road — leading to Chennai Port and Ennore Port, and is expected to be completed by November.
The foundation stone for the Rs. 600-crore project was laid in January 2011 and it was initially expected to be completed by January 2013.
However, even now, three stretches on the road are yet to be finished.
“We are yet to get land in Cherian Nagar and Nalla Thanneer Odai Kuppam on Ennore Expressway, and another 600 metres inside Kasimedu fishing harbour. Around 1.1 km of road is yet to be laid. By November, the project will be completed, but for these stretches that have to be handed over by the State government and Port Trust,” said the official.
S.R. Raja, secretary, Trailer Owner’s Association, Tamil Nadu, said, even if the road works are completed, unless additional gates are available at Chennai Port, for entry and exit of import and export trailers, the roads will remain congested.
“There is enough space inside the port for parking of vehicles. But, hundreds of trailers are parked on the roads, every day, causing inconvenience to other motorists,” he said.
