Panel formed to cut ECR elevated corridor cost by Rs 600 crore

The Tamil Nadu government has set up a special panel to bring down the cost of the East Coast Road (ECR) elevated corridor project by Rs 600 crore. The original estimate for the 30-km stretch is Rs 3,200 crore. The panel will submit a report within two months suggesting ways to cut expenses without compromising on quality or safety.

Why the cost reduction is needed

The elevated corridor is planned to connect Thiruvanmiyur with Mamallapuram, a key tourism and commuter route. Rising input costs had pushed the initial budget higher. Officials say the state wants to complete the project within a revised outlay of Rs 2,600 crore.

The panel includes senior engineers from the highways department, a structural design expert and a financial analyst. They will examine every cost component, from piling and pier construction to road surfacing and lighting.

Design changes on the table

The panel is expected to look at alternative alignment options and structural designs. One idea is to reduce the number of piers by increasing the span between them. Another is to use precast concrete segments instead of cast-in-situ methods, which can speed up construction and lower labour costs.

Procurement of steel and cement will also be reviewed. Bulk purchase agreements and use of locally sourced materials are being considered. The panel may also suggest changes to the toll plaza design and approach roads to save land acquisition costs.

Timeline and target

The project was originally expected to be completed by 2028. With the revised cost target, construction could begin by early 2027 if approvals come through quickly. The panel’s report is due by mid-September 2026.

A senior highways department official said the goal is to achieve savings without delaying the project. The elevated corridor is expected to decongest the existing ECR and reduce travel time between south Chennai and the tourist town of Mamallapuram by nearly 40 minutes.

Environmental and traffic concerns

The corridor will run parallel to the coast, and environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact on coastal ecology. The panel has been asked to ensure that any design changes do not increase the project's environmental footprint.

Traffic studies have shown that the existing ECR handles about 80,000 vehicles per day, a number expected to cross 1.5 lakh by 2030. The elevated corridor is designed to carry around 60,000 vehicles per day, primarily those travelling longer distances.

The state government has already acquired about 70% of the land needed for the project. The remaining land is expected to be acquired within the next six months.

The panel will submit its recommendations to the state highways minister, who will then take a final call on the revised design and budget.