Tamil Nadu Plans 140-km Expressway Linking Chennai And Tiruvannamalai

The Tamil Nadu government is preparing to lay a new 140-km greenfield expressway linking Chennai with Tiruvannamalai through Cheyyar, tracing much of the route once earmarked for the abandoned Chennai–Salem corridor. Though the earlier proposal was set aside in 2022, the latest plan signals a renewed push to take forward the project in stages, beginning with the stretch from Oragadam to Tiruvannamalai.

Faster Access

The proposed corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Tiruvannamalai from four hours to about two. It is also set to ease the movement of goods from SIPCOT estates and other industrial clusters in Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram district to Kattupalli Port and Ennore Port.

Improved connectivity is likely to strengthen trade links while giving a fillip to tourism in Tiruvannamalai, which has in recent years drawn lakhs of devotees from Chennai and other parts of the state as a prominent pilgrimage centre.

Phased Road Plan

The planned highway will be a six-lane, access-controlled carriageway beginning at the under-construction Chennai Peripheral Ring Road near Oragadam. From there, it will pass through Cheyyar SIPCOT and Desur before reaching Tiruvannamalai. The scheme will be executed by the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority.

Work will be carried out in two stages. The first involves a 68-km section from Oragadam to Cheyyar SIPCOT. The remaining 72-km stretch, from Manampathi near Cheyyar SIPCOT to Tiruvannamalai, is slated for the second phase.

The Oragadam–Cheyyar stretch is planned to branch off from the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road at Oragadam and continue up to Mangal Koot Road near the Cheyyar SIPCOT complex. Beyond this point, the alignment will proceed towards Tiruvannamalai, cutting across 34 villages within Tiruvannamalai district.

One of the main attractions for pilgrims to Tiruvannamalai is the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple. Nestled in the Tiruvannamalai Hills, this 9th-century Chola temple showcases Dravidian, Vijayanagara, and Chola architecture, with intricate carvings and paintings.

FAQs

What places will be linked through the proposed expressway?
The Tamil Nadu government plans to build a 140-km greenfield, six-lane, access-controlled expressway linking Chennai (Oragadam) and Tiruvannamalai via Cheyyar.

What is the purpose of the project?
The road is intended to cut travel time for commuters, improve freight movement from industrial clusters, and strengthen port connectivity while supporting tourism and pilgrimage traffic.

How much will travel time reduce?
The journey between Chennai and Tiruvannamalai is expected to come down from around four hours to roughly two hours.

Which areas will the expressway pass through?
It will begin near Oragadam, connect to Cheyyar SIPCOT, and continue to Tiruvannamalai, passing through 34 villages in Tiruvannamalai district.

How will it improve freight transport?
It will provide faster access for industries in Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram district to Kattupalli Port and Ennore Port.

Will the project be built in phases?
Yes. The first phase will cover about 68 km from Oragadam to Cheyyar SIPCOT, while the remaining stretch to Tiruvannamalai will be taken up in the second phase.