Tamil Nadu Highways Department to Maintain Chennai Roads

The Tamil Nadu Highways Department is set to take over approximately 400 kilometers of city roads from the Greater Chennai Corporation to improve maintenance and road quality. This decision follows concerns raised by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay regarding the uneven surface of city streets. The initiative aims to integrate road, drain, and sewer planning to prevent the frequent digging of roads for utility work.

Under the new plan, the department will manage key stretches including Kamarajar Salai, Sivananda Salai, GN Chetty Road, Venkatnarayana Road, Valluvar Kottam High Road, and Anna Main Road. Officials intend to implement a performance-based maintenance system similar to the National Highways Authority of India, featuring long-term contracts and an online portal to approve utility work within 30 days.

Additionally, the state has floated tenders to prepare detailed project reports for the transformation of Old Mahabalipuram Road and the Radial Road. These corridors are slated for upgrades including dedicated bus lanes, improved drainage, and integrated utility infrastructure to support the region's rapid development.