ECR’s Six-Lane Dream Hits 85%: The Finish Line is in Sight

The long-delayed six-lane expansion of the 10.5-km stretch of East Coast Road (ECR) between Thiruvanmiyur and Akkarai is now 85% complete, with officials indicating that the remaining work is likely to be finished within the next two months.

According to the Tamil Nadu Highways Department, land acquisition is still pending in select pockets between Kottivakkam and Akkarai, particularly near VGP, where around 30 houses remain to be acquired. Officials said discussions are ongoing with property owners to finalise compensation and complete the acquisition process soon.

While most civil works have been completed, sections of the widened road are not being fully utilised due to issues such as illegal parking. In some areas, vehicles occupy the newly added sixth lane, reducing effective road capacity and slowing traffic. Attempts to block these stretches using temporary barriers were later withdrawn following opposition from local residents.

Motorists continue to face difficulties in stretches like Neelankarai, Injambakkam, and Vettuvankeni, where incomplete work and uneven road surfaces are causing congestion and forcing vehicles into narrower lanes.

Commuters have also flagged recurring encroachments along the corridor. Roadside vendors, removed during construction, have reportedly returned in several areas, further constricting traffic flow. This has led to increased congestion, particularly on the opposite carriageway from Uthandi towards Adyar.

Concerns have also been raised about traffic management at the Uthandi junction, with suggestions to avoid routing vehicles through a U-turn on Kalaignar Karunanidhi Salai, which is seen as a longer detour that adds to delays.

Meanwhile, preparatory work has begun for a proposed ₹2,100 crore elevated corridor along the same stretch. Soil testing is currently underway at around 400 locations for the planned 13-km six-lane project between Thiruvanmiyur and Uthandi. Once completed, the elevated toll corridor is expected to significantly enhance capacity along this busy coastal route.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.