He also announced a feasibility study for an industrial express corridor connecting Chennai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi, besides expediting the eight-lane Chennai-Kanyakumari road, widening the Tiruchy-Karur road and developing a water metro between Ennore and Mamallapuram.

An elevated corridor over the Bay of Bengal from Chennai to Puducherry via Mamallapuram will be developed in phases, Arjuna said. The project is aimed at meeting the future transport needs of the state’s coastal region while promoting economic growth and tourism.

The corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Puducherry and connect industrial centres, tourist destinations, harbours and urban centres along the coast, he said, describing it as a gamechanger for Tamil Nadu’s transport and economic development.

The minister also announced the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Road Safety Commission to improve road safety and prevent accidents. Modern equipment, including artificial intelligence-enabled cameras, will be installed to monitor traffic violations and strengthen road safety measures. Highways emergency treatment centres will also be established.

An allocation of Rs. 250 crore will be made to maintain roads and prevent potholes and cracks.

Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for his ministry in the Assembly, Arjuna announced Rs. 120 crore for renovating roads connecting Central, Kathipara and Koyambedu in a triangular route. Escalators and lifts will also be installed at Anna University and Madhya Kailash junctions.

Another Rs. 280 crore will be allocated for improving the Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam road.

Arjuna said industrial corridors connecting major industrial zones, harbours, airports and cargo centres would be developed in phases. A feasibility study would be undertaken to connect Chennai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi, which have emerged as major industrial centres and are attracting investments.

The proposed corridor would reduce travel time and goods transportation costs while boosting investments, employment and regional development, he said. A new land acquisition approach involving people’s participation within the legal framework would also be implemented to minimise losses for landowners.

All national highway projects, including the eight-lane Chennai-Kanyakumari road, improvement of junctions at Chennai’s entry points, widening of the Tiruchy-Karur National Highway and the Kilambakkam-Chengalpet elevated corridor, would be expedited.

Chennai’s entry points, including the East Coast Road, Perungalathur, Poonamallee and Madhavaram, would also be improved.

The government will prepare the Tamil Nadu Highways Master Plan-2036, a mega plan for implementing major road projects and strengthening infrastructure to support the state’s target of achieving a US$1.5 trillion economy by 2036, Arjuna said.

Highlights

• Rs. 120 crore for renovating roads linking Central, Kathipara and Koyambedu

• Rs. 280 crore for improving the Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam road

• DPR for an elevated corridor from Lighthouse to Adyar Bridge

• Rs. 1,000 crore for upgrading roads in Chennai, Avadi, Tambaram, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Madurai and Thoothukudi corporations

• Elevated corridor over the Bay of Bengal from Chennai to Puducherry

• Expediting the Kilambakkam-Chengalpet elevated corridor

• Improving Chennai’s entry points at Perungalathur, ECR, Poonamallee and Madhavaram

• DPR for an elevated corridor from Padi to Thiruninravur

• Feasibility study for an industrial corridor linking Chennai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi

• Expediting the eight-lane Chennai-Kanyakumari road

• Widening of the Tiruchy-Karur road

• Water metro between Ennore and Mamallapuram

• Rs. 2,550 crore for improving 2,000 km of village roads

• Tamil Nadu Highways Master Plan-2036

• Widening narrow bridges at Basin Bridge junction

• Widening the Cooum Bridge near Koyambedu