Port-Maduravoyal Corridor Work: Encroachments Removed on Cooum Banks.

Authorities recently began demolishing over 20 buildings that had encroached upon the banks of the Cooum River in Arumbakkam. The action is aimed at clearing the path for the 20.9-kilometer-long elevated Port-Maduravoyal corridor, a crucial infrastructure project for the city.

The demolition drive was carried out by the state highways department, supported by approximately 100 police personnel, using two earth movers. The razed structures, primarily commercial buildings, had occupied the riverbanks for nearly two decades. Highways officials reported that approximately 200 meters in length and 50 meters in breadth of the riverbank have been reclaimed so far. Officials indicated that more than 50 additional encroachments in the area are yet to be removed, and the demolition process is expected to continue through the weekend.

The Port-Maduravoyal corridor project is being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with the state highways department providing assistance in local enforcement. Officials stated that the cleared areas will be utilized for constructing the pillars of the proposed double-decker elevated corridor. For the remaining sections along the river, NHAI plans to acquire land from private landowners. A significant portion of the 20.9 km corridor, approximately 15.5 km, will be an elevated structure built over the river. Out of a total of 650 pillars planned for the corridor, 525 will be situated within the riverbed.

NHAI has also cordoned off about 10 feet on either side of the Poonamallee High Road stretch between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal to facilitate construction activities for the double-decker structure. Existing pillars constructed in 2009 in this section are likely to be dismantled and replaced with new ones as part of the current project. Piling and foundation work for the corridor are also actively being carried out in downstream areas, including Chetpet, Egmore, and Chindadripet. An MoU for the Port-Maduravoyal corridor project was initially signed in 2022, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2027.

In a related development, the widening of the Pallavaram–Kundrathur–Poonamallee Road, which had faced years of delays, has gained momentum. Authorities recently cleared encroachments in the Karima Nagar area along this route. The demolition of illegally constructed houses that were obstructing traffic flow in the area led to protests from residents, which were subsequently placified by police and revenue officials. This 13.4-kilometer road serves as a vital link between Chennai's southern and western suburbs, connecting GST Road near Pallavaram to Poonamallee via Kundrathur. The widening is anticipated to significantly ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity for thousands of daily commuters. Kundrathur municipality officials indicated that further eviction drives along this road will be carried out in phases.