The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has confirmed that the ambitious 21-kilometre Chennai Port–Maduravoyal double-decker elevated corridor is progressing steadily and is now scheduled for completion by November 2027.
Project Details
The ₹3,570-₹5,570 crore expressway will be the country’s longest six-lane double-decker elevated highway, spanning 20-21 km from Chennai Port Gate No. 10 near the War Memorial to Maduravoyal Interchange. The corridor travels along the bank of the Cooum River until Koyambedu and then along the median of NH 48 to Maduravoyal.
Toll-Free Lower Deck
In a significant policy decision to ease urban commuting, the lower deck of the corridor will remain toll-free for local traffic, while toll charges will apply exclusively to freight vehicles using the upper deck. The second level (upper deck) is being purpose-built as a dedicated six-lane highway for container trucks travelling to and from Chennai Port’s Gate 10.
Of the 21-km corridor, the stretch from Maduravoyal to Koyambedu (7 km) will have a single deck, while the remaining 14 km up to the port will feature a double-decker structure.
Construction Progress
To accelerate construction, work is currently progressing for 11 hours daily — five hours during daytime and six hours at night — with support from traffic police. NHAI has requested the Tamil Nadu government and city police commissioner to extend work hours to up to 16 hours per day.
Strategic Impact
The elevated freight corridor is expected to eliminate conflicts between freight and city traffic, improving turnaround times at Chennai Port while giving city residents faster, congestion-free commutes. Upon completion, the corridor will ensure seamless 24/7 highway connectivity and significantly enhance Chennai Port’s cargo handling capacity from the current 53 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to an anticipated 200 MTPA by 2047.
The project was originally targeted for completion by May 2026 but faced delays due to monsoon rains and other factors. NHAI is executing the work in four phases through a Mumbai-based company.
