The proposed Northern Port Access Road greenfield project got a boost with the Tamil Nadu Government deciding to update the detailed project report (DPR) submitted by consultants eight years ago. The project will be a ‘lifeline’ for both Katupalli and Kamarajar ports, according to sources.

Wilbur Smith Associates, in 2008, had prepared a DPR for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This will be updated by CDM Smith (earlier Wilbur Smith) due to many changes in topography that have since taken place by way of new structures and land development, sources said.

In April 2012, the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Ltd (TNRDC) was appointed as ‘Managing Associate’ and the Highways and Minor Ports Department as Monitoring Department for the project. Land alignment was prepared by the TNRDC and handed over to State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu.

The road project that starts in between Katupalli and Kamarajar ports will end at Thatchur in NH5.

Ponneri is becoming a major industrial region due to projects like Toshiba’s turbine plant and the NTPC/TNEB’s expansion of the North Chennai Power Station and thermal power plant. It has been identified as a hub for industrial development in the Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor project. Many Japanese companies plan to invest in the Ponneri region. In the recent Union Budget, it has been announced that Ponneri would be made a smart city.

The existing road connectivity with National Highways to both ports is congested and passes through city traffic. The stretch from Vallur branching off from Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri-Panchetti (TPP) road up to both ports is a two-lane road. The proposed four-lane greenfield project alignment has two stretches - from Kamarajar port to Thatchur on NH5 (21 km) and a link to TPP Road (4.3 km). Nearly 90 per cent of the road passes through vacant land. This will provide direct access to NH 5 from the both ports and save nearly 25 km in distance for vehicles, sources said.

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