Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR) Update: When Will The First Access-Controlled Highway Be Completed?

The much-anticipated Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR), spanning 133 km from Ennore Port to Poonjeri, near Mamallapuram, is making steady progress, with a significant portion expected to be completed by the end of 2025, The Hindu reported.

The construction on the 30.8-km stretch from Tiruvallur Bypass to Sriperumbudur is advancing well. Leading infrastructure firm L&T, which commenced work in August 2021, has completed 79% of the project, remaining on schedule to deliver its section of the six-lane expressway. Meanwhile, SPK Ltd, another contractor, has also picked up pace, completing approximately 50% of its assigned work, the report said citing sources from the Highways Department.

Current Progress

One key milestone has already been achieved: Section 4 from Sriperumbudur to Singaperumalkoil is fully complete. However, work remains on service lanes, which are being constructed to facilitate local traffic. Land acquisition for these service lanes is underway, and officials are navigating challenges related to land swaps due to reserved forest areas along the route.

The final segment-Section 5 from Singaperumalkoil to Mamallapuram (27.41 km)-has seen significant progress in land acquisition, though construction has yet to begin. Delays were caused by financial arrangements, but with those resolved, tenders for the project will soon be floated. Initially planned as a four-lane road, this stretch has now been upgraded to a six-lane highway.

Meanwhile, Section 1 from Ennore Port to Thatchur presents unique challenges, as it runs through an area with multiple large water tanks and high-voltage power transmission lines. Due to these complexities, the completion of this section is expected to take longer.

A Game-Changer for Chennai's Road Network

Once finished, the CPRR will be Chennai's first access-controlled highway under the Highways Department, significantly enhancing connectivity across the region. The ring road will provide seamless links between:

• NH 5 (Chennai-Tada)
• NH 4 (Chennai-Bengaluru)
• NH 45 (Chennai-Tiruchi)
• East Coast Road (ECR)

With a total estimated cost of ₹12,301 crore, the six-lane expressway (with service lanes on either side) is designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph, making it a crucial infrastructure project aimed at easing congestion and improving freight movement.

This 132.87-km greenfield expressway will serve as Chennai's fourth ring road, linking key towns such as Singaperumalkoil, Sriperumbudur, Tiruvallur, Tamaraipakkam, Periyapalayam, Puduvoyal, and Kattupalli.

With work progressing steadily, the CPRR is set to become a vital transport corridor, boosting connectivity and reducing travel times across Tamil Nadu's capital region.