The Tamil Nadu State Highways Department is constructing the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road, the state’s first 10-lane expressway, to ease traffic congestion in the city. The 132.87-km project, renamed the Chennai Border Road, will stretch from Mamallapuram to Kattupalli Port, with six main lanes and two service lanes. The project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, will connect major industrial and logistics hubs.
In a landmark infrastructure development, the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR) is poised to become Tamil Nadu’s first-ever 10‑lane expressway upon its completion by January 2026. With a total length of 132.87 km, the project has been estimated to cost approximately ₹12,301 crore, reflecting its scale and strategic importance.
Route Overview & Connectivity
The expressway will stretch from Mamallapuram to Kattupalli Port, linking major chokepoints including Singaperumalkoil, Sriperumbudur, Tiruvallur, Thamaraipakkam, Pericapillary, Poudyal, and Kattupalli. Once functional, CPRR will serve as Chennai’s fourth ring road, seamlessly integrating key national highways (NH‑16, NH‑716, NH‑48, and NH‑32) and easing corridor traffic around the periphery. (Highway)
Design & Enabled Speeds
CPRR is designed as a 10-lane expressway, featuring six main carriageway lanes and two service lanes on each side. Only two-wheelers will be allowed on service lanes to ensure safety and faster flow on the mainway. The expressway is engineered to support vehicle speeds up to 120 km/h, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time around Chennai’s outskirts.
Funding & Execution Model
Funding for the project is backed by prominent largescale lenders:
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided a loan of approximately ¥40,074 million (~₹2,673 crore) to support Phase‑1 from Ennore Port to Thachur (~25 km) +
- Subsequent phases are supported by agencies such as AIIB and the OPEC Fund for International Development, especially for Sections II and III of the ring road.
The project is being executed by the Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC) under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) model, offering streamlined oversight and execution efficiency (Highways)
Project Phases & Progress
The 132.87‑km corridor has been divided into five sections, with detailed planning and land acquisition underway, especially in Sections II and III. As of March 2025, 96% of land acquisition for Section I (Ennore Port to Thachur) has been completed, and many civil contracts are under execution.
Construction is already in progress along key portions, with the first stretches expected to be operational by late 2025, paving the way for full commissioning by January 2026.
Impact & Benefits
Once completed, the CPRR is projected to dramatically reduce travel time, decongest Chennai’s inner city, and improve freight connectivity to Chennai’s major ports including Kamarajar Port and Adani’s Kattupalli Port. Reduced idling and improved traffic flow are also expected to yield environmental benefits by lowering air pollution levels
Moreover, equipping the corridor with intelligent transport systems (ITS) such as CCTV surveillance and real-time traffic alerts will enhance road safety and operational efficiency.
Looking Ahead
When commissioned, the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road will redefine mobility in Tamil Nadu by establishing a modern, high-capacity arterial corridor around the city. The project is expected to drive economic activity, support industrial growth in adjacent zones, and lay the foundation for future infrastructure expansions. This expressway marks a strategic shift in regional planning combining international funding, modern design, and urban foresight to create Chennai’s first-ever 10-lane corridor by early 2026.
Q1. What is the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR)?
The CPRR is a 132.87 km, 10-lane greenfield expressway connecting Mamallapuram to Ennore and Kattupalli Ports, aimed at decongesting Chennai and boosting industrial logistics.
Q2. When will the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road be completed?
The project is expected to be fully operational by January 2026, with major phases already under construction.
Q3. How many lanes does the CPRR have?
The expressway will feature 10 lanes—6 main carriageways and 2 service lanes on each side, with dedicated ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems).
Q4. Who is funding the CPRR project?
Funding comes from multiple sources: JICA (Japan), AIIB, OPEC Fund, and the Tamil Nadu Government, totaling around ₹12,301 crore.
Q5. Why is CPRR important for Tamil Nadu?
It will reduce traffic in Chennai, connect key ports, promote industrial growth, and improve regional logistics, marking a major infrastructure milestone.
