Work on the Phase II of the Chennai Outer Ring Road (ORR) from Nemilichery to Minjur, in the northern periphery of the city, began recently.
Together with Phase I from Vandalur to Nemilichery which is nearing completion, the completed 60-km-long Outer Ring Road Project will connect the southern and the northern suburbs and is expected to be a catalyst for further expansion of the city.
The Phase II of the project which is expected to be completed by September 2016 will also help in moving heavy vehicular traffic from the city roads.
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The Phase II of ORR has been estimated to cost around Rs. 1,400 crore.
The first signs of construction of the Phase II are visible on a 20-km stretch near Nemilichery where the road has been scrubbed.
According to sources in Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), the managing associate for the project, land acquisition for the entire 30-km length for the carriageway has also been completed.
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The road would be constructed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis.
It will be a green field project consisting of six lane highway with service roads including elevated structures, wayside amenities and illumination for the entire stretch.
It is estimated that at least 30 per cent of the traffic entering the city will take this road.
The entire road work of Phase I of the ORR is near complete and works on the interchanges (grade separators) are currently on.
T. Sadagopan of Thiruninravur said that many land-owners were waiting for land prices to go up to develop or sell their plots that are close to the alignment.
“The first phase helped to increase land prices by almost 300 per cent in those areas. We can also expect a lot of commercial activity in the next few years when the road is being constructed,” he said.