Enhancing connectivity - Rs 1338 crores sanctioned now for access controlled highway project on Old Madras Road or NH-40!!
The road that stretches between Walajah/Ranipet to the TN-AP border is 28.1km. This road is known as the Old Madras Road or NH-40. Now, an amount of Rs 1338 crores has been sanctioned by the Centre for access controlled highway project on this important road. This was mentioned by Mr. Nitish Gadkari, Union minister for Road Transport and Highways.
From Chennai until Walajapet on the Old Madras Road, the road is 4lane but a section between Walajapet and Chittoor remains a 2lane road.
According to Mr. Nitish Gadkari, the highway would have a 4lane main carriageway with paved shoulders. He hinted about the presence of 2lane service roads on both sides. He concluded that there were also plans to construct a 10km bypass for Walaja/Ranipet, 4 major bridges and 2 ROB.
It is important to note that the connectivity between Chennai and cities like Tirupati, Bengaluru and Vellore etc would be enhanced by this corridor. In 2025, the special economic zone or SEZ would be completed in Ranipet. It is now said that along with this SEZ this project would lead to substantial economic growth. The 2lane service roads would promote the local transport movement.
Since September 2022, the tender for widening of Ranipet-Walajah- Chittoor section road has been pending. The announcement by Mr. Nitish Gadkari came at this scenario and it has caught the attention. It must be remembered that initially NHAI had planned to build a 6-lane highway at a cost of Rs980 cr. Bids were floated in September 2022 for this purpose. In May in 2024, the tender was lodged. In July 2024, NHAI revived this project as a 4 lane access controlled highway and invited tenders is known. As per NHAI, the tender would soon be awarded as the Union ministry has sanctioned funds.
