ECR Road Expansion in Chennai: 30 Houses Near VGP Issued Land Acquisition Notices
The widening of the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai is progressing rapidly, with land acquisition efforts intensifying near the VGP area. Around 30 houses have been issued notices as part of the road expansion project from Thiruvanmiyur to Akkarai.
The project is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Highways Department to ease increasing traffic congestion along one of the city’s busiest coastal corridors.
Project Overview
The ECR stretch from Thiruvanmiyur to Akkarai, covering about 10.3 km, is being upgraded into a 6-lane road. Officials have confirmed that nearly 85% of the work has already been completed, and the remaining work is expected to be finished within the next two months.
Reason for Expansion
The ECR corridor is home to numerous educational institutions, IT companies, residential complexes, commercial establishments, and entertainment hubs. Due to this, traffic congestion has significantly increased, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
Land Acquisition Near VGP
As part of the expansion, land is being acquired in areas such as Kottivakkam, Akkarai, and VGP. In particular, 30 houses near VGP fall within the required stretch for widening.
Authorities have already issued notices, and consultation meetings will be held soon to finalize compensation for affected residents.
Additional Infrastructure Plans
- Flyovers planned at Uthandi and Sholinganallur junctions
- Proposed 4-lane extension from Akkarai to Mamallapuram and further to Puducherry
- Development of pedestrian walkways, modern street lighting, and stormwater drainage systems
Emerging Challenges
While road widening is expected to reduce congestion, roadside parking continues to create bottlenecks in some stretches. Attempts to install barricades faced resistance from local residents, leading to their removal in certain areas.
Public Response
Residents believe the project will:
- Reduce travel time significantly
- Improve daily commuting for office-goers and students
- Enhance overall road safety
However, they have also urged authorities to:
- Plant trees to compensate for those removed
- Install adequate CCTV cameras for safety monitoring
