Union ministry announces revised deadlines for TN's multi-crore highway projects

CHENNAI: The Union road transport and highways ministry announced revised deadlines for several multi-crore road projects in Tamil Nadu. Delays are attributed to various issues, including land acquisition, clearances from statutory bodies, and other unforeseen circumstances.

The Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor project, a four-lane double-tier structure, now has a Feb 2027 completion target. This delay is partly due to a six-month delay in receiving permission for piling work from the state water resources department.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari provided this update in response to inquiries from MPs Durai Vaiko and D Malaiyarasan in Lok Sabha. “A total of Rs 33,085 crore allocation and expenditure is incurred during the last five years towards development and maintenance of national highways in Tamil Nadu,” Gadkari said.

Durai expressed disappointment over the minister's response. "Either funds are not allocated for already announced projects or new projects are not announced for the state. Even the ongoing projects are getting delayed," the MDMK leader told TOI.

The Port-Maduravoyal project, comprising four packages spanning 21km and estimated at Rs 5,510 crore, was initially slated for completion in May 2026. Sanctioned in 2023, the packages have seen progress ranging from 1% to 3%. Contributing factors include a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order halting work during the monsoon season and delays in securing traffic police permission for traffic restrictions.

The four-laning of the Mugaiyur to Marakkanam section, a project sanctioned in 2019 and costing Rs 1,835 crore, has been rescheduled for completion next year. This delay is primarily attributed to delays in land handover. Progress on the two packages currently stands at 28% and 41%, respectively.

The Bangalore-Chennai expressway project, sanctioned in 2020, faces similar challenges. Unseasonal rains, utility line shifting, burrow area approvals delayed by NGT and Supreme Court orders, and delays in land and crop compensation determination all contribute to the project's slow progress.

Phase I of the Madurai Ring Road four-laning project, commenced in 2020, has achieved only 68% progress. The ministry cites delays in obtaining forest clearance, poor planning and resource mobilisation by the contractor, the COVID-19 pandemic, and excessive rainfall as contributing factors to the slow progress of the 30km stretch. The four-laning of the 46km Melur-Pilayarpatti-Karaikudi section, costing Rs 1,104 crore, also suffers from poor planning and resource mobilisation issues.

Improvements to the Thoppur ghat section in Salem and Dharmapuri districts, a project estimated at Rs 905 crore, are scheduled to begin soon. “The project involves the diversion of 13ha of forest land for which stage I clearance was granted by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change on December 11, 2024. Entry upon permission is expected by Feb 15, 2025. The contractor's appointed date is likely to be declared by Feb 20,” the minister said.