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The 15-kilometer elevated corridor, costing Rs 1,075 crore, will enhance connectivity and reduce travel time while improving access to key areas on ECR

such major development that is making headlines is the recently announced
upcoming elevated corridor, which is set to be completed within the next 18 months along the East Coast Road (ECR). This extensive project is reported to hurl the localities along ECR into a wave of social and infrastructural development.

The elevated corridor upon execution will span approximately 15 kilometers, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,075 crore. It will promise to ensure seamless connectivity, reduced travel time, high real-estate appreciation, and enhanced accessibility to key areas, particularly to the neighboring IT corridors and prime localities like Tidel Park, Thiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Adyar from the extreme ends of ECR.

ECR’s Elevated Corridor – The Game-Changer

The corridor is expected to set off a chain reaction, driving up demand for both residential and commercial properties, bolstered by ongoing infrastructure projects. Additionally, several developments are planned along the corridor, thanks to the presence of major IT parks and office spaces on the parallel OMR. This will further stimulate the real estate market in Uthandi, Akkarai, and surrounding areas, attracting more people to settle in these localities, where the thriving IT hubs meet the tranquility of the seaside.

Numerous real estate analysts indicate that Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, and areas closer to the city center command higher prices due to their developed infrastructure and established amenities while regions like Uthandi and Panaiyur along the farther ends of the ECR stretch offer more affordable prices with regard to real estate.

Hence, investing in lands and buying properties in these areas would not only provide value for money but will also guarantee the potential for substantial returns as the infrastructure developments take shape in the near future.

Moreover, the serene environment, coupled with enhanced connectivity and upcoming infrastructural developments, makes these localities attractive for both end-users and investors alike.

No More Longer Distant

The elevated corridor is mainly designed to ease traffic congestion and provide seamless travel from Thiruvanmiyur to Uthandi, which will drastically reduce travel time to key IT hubs and main parts of the city. Thiruvanmiyur and its neighboring localities are currently the preferred residential choice for many, given that Uthandi, Neelankarai, Panaiyur, Injambakkam, and areas further south along the
ECR are relatively distant from the city.

However, the arrival of the elevated corridor will change this dynamic as it will pass over the congested route connecting localities such as LB road junction, Kottivakkam, Neelankarai, Injambakkam, and Akkarai with strategically placed on and off-ramps to ensure easy access for the local residents as well. The five strategically placed entry and exit points on the corridor will offer direct access to the major IT parks, office spaces, and commercial hubs, for daily professionals and travelers who commute regularly on the ECR stretch.

The completion of the elevated corridor is mainly estimated to reduce the travel time from Thiruvanmiyur to Uthandi by less than 20 minutes compared to the current 45 to 60 minutes.

Invest in the present with an eye on the future

The forthcoming elevated corridor on the ECR is set to be more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it’s a driver for the next surge in real estate growth in Chennai’s expanding ECR region. Property values in emerging areas such as Uthandi, Akkarai, Injambakkam, and Panaiyur are expected to rise as a result. Plotted developers are already initiating several projects along this corridor. This is an ideal opportunity for investors to secure a stake in one of Chennai’s most promising real estate markets, which are poised to become key residential and commercial hubs.

Villages from Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu to be part of the new Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area; increase would make it comparable in size to planning areas of some of the other top cities in the country.

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday issued a government order, notifying the
expansion of the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area (CMPA) from its present size of 1,189 sq. km. to 5,904 sq. km. by including contiguous areas from Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts.

According to the order issued by Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, a total of 1,225 villages from these four districts have been added to CMPA.

They include 550 villages from the Ponneri, Gummidipoondi, Uthukottai, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, Poonamallee taluks of Tiruvallur district; 44 villages from the Arakkonam taluk of Ranipet district; 335 villages from the Kancheepuram, Walajabad, Sriperumbudur and Kundrathur taluks of Kancheepuram district; and 296 villages from the Chengalpattu, Thiruporur, Tirukalukundram and Vandalur taluks of Chengalpattu district.

Ran into delays

The initiative began during the previous AIADMK government in 2018, but ran into delays. The processes, including the hearing of objections or suggestions from those in the areas proposed to be included, were expedited in the recent months. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin gave the final approval to the proposal at a meeting held this month.

Although it was originally envisaged to expand CMPA to around 8,800 sq. km., the areas has been reduced to 5,904 sq. km.

Official sources said the expansion would make CMPA comparable in size to the
metropolitan planning areas of some of the other top cities in the country. Until now, Chennai was the smallest, compared with a few top cities in India.

With the order issued, the changes in the administrative set-up to effect the change will soon follow, sources added.

Anshul Mishra, Member-Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, said the expansion would help in a more balanced and well-planned growth of the region.

Better planning

He said it would facilitate better planning in terms of transport and resource management and help in the protection of water sources and green cover. It would also help in better integration of nearby town centres with the city.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has ordered the expansion of Chennai city from 1,189 sq km to 5,904 sq km, which will include as many as 1,225 new villages from Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalupet and Ranipet areas.

The CMDA said on Twitter that the order was issued to ensure sustainable economic development of the Chennai region.

“To promote balanced urban growth in Chennai Metropolitan Area and to conserve, protect and manage the vast number of water bodies and green areas and also to ensure sustainable economic growth in Chennai region, the government has issued an order for expansion,” said the tweet.

The Minister for Housing and Urban Development S Muthusamy made the announcement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Muthusamy said that villages from Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalupet and Ranipet will be added to the Chennai Metropolitan area.

According to the order released by Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, the principal secretary to the government, as many as 1,225 villages will now be a part of the Chennai Metropolitan planning area.