Chennai to Get New Steel Bridge Connecting OMR and ECR via Thoraipakkam and Neelankarai
The State Highways Department has announced a transformative infrastructure project — a six-lane steel bridge to be constructed over the Buckingham Canal, linking OMR (Rajiv Gandhi Salai) and ECR (East Coast Road). This key connection through Thoraipakkam and Neelankarai is designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity across southern Chennai.
🏗️ ₹37 Crore Infrastructure Boost for South Chennai
The project is estimated at ₹37 crore, including bridge construction, bund roads, underpasses, and approach roads. With the Inland Waterways Authority of India granting clearance, the bridge will have a vertical height of 4 meters above the flood line to allow boat movement under the structure.
🚧 Bridge Specifications and Project Scope
The bridge will span 36 meters and consist of six lanes, catering to growing traffic between the city’s major IT and residential corridors. A total length of 1.4 km is planned, starting from Neelankarai on ECR, crossing the canal, and connecting with the OMR–Pallavaram Thoraipakkam Radial Road junction.
🛣️ Progress and Road Completion Status
In the first phase, approximately 860 meters of the road from the OMR side has already been completed. The next phase involves clearing encroachments on Water Resources Department (WRD) land and resettling residents through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.
🧭 Improved Access to Key Arterial Roads and Airport
Currently, the only two connections between OMR and ECR are at Tiruvanmiyur and Sholinganallur, which are 11 km apart. The new bridge offers a direct link between GST Road, Velachery–Tambaram Road, Mount–Madipakkam Road, OMR, and ECR, dramatically improving citywide mobility and access to the airport from coastal zones.
🚦 Traffic Decongestion and Citywide Impact
The proposed link aims to divert nearly 40% of the current traffic from the OMR–Pallavaram Thoraipakkam Radial Road junction. This initiative is expected to ease vehicular movement during peak hours, benefiting daily commuters, tech employees, and residents of Neelankarai, Palavakkam, and Thoraipakkam.
🧱 Land Acquisition and Local Development
Land on the Neelankarai side has already been acquired for the 450-meter approach road. Residents living on WRD-owned plots are to be rehabilitated under official urban development plans. This ensures both progress and social balance in urban renewal.
✅ Key Highlights
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Six-lane steel bridge across Buckingham Canal
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₹37 crore project with full funding by State Highways Department
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1.4 km link connecting OMR and ECR
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860 meters completed in Phase 1
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Aimed at 40% traffic reduction and airport connectivity improvement
