In an effort to improve road connectivity between the industrial hubs of Sriperumbudur and Oragadam with Arakkonam, the State Highways Department is exploring the possibility of widening the 39-km long road. Sources in the department said that a fesibility study will soon be initiated to study the two-lane facility that runs through the villages of Thandalam, Valapuram, Manur, Kattu Kootu Road, Thakkolam, Arigilpadi.
Chennai Port, which is in the process of developing the Integrated Dry Port and multi-modal Logistics Hub at Mappedu near Sriperumbudur, has already taken 125 acres of land from the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu for Rs.100.67 crore, on lease for 99 years. The project is expected to be completed by June 2015.
The main purpose of the dry port is to enable major industries having their establishments in and around Sriperumbudur and Oragadam to use the port’s facilities. Using the four-laned road, trailers from the dry port will travel to Arakkonam and either choose the rail to other parts of the country or travel by road to Chennai and Ennore ports. This road is important, especially because movement of heavy vehicles is not permitted on Poonamallee High Road.
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Both the INS Rajali and the Chennai Port have sought widening of the road. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in its second master plan has also suggested that regional linkages around Chennai city be developed.
In order to save the tamarind trees that line the road on either side, the Department plans to retain them and acquire land just after the trees. “They will remain like islands, and lanes of 5.5 metres width will come up on either side. In effect, there will be 1.5 lanes on each side of the present road, which will also be strengthened. There will be 5 lanes in all,” the source said.