Tamil Nadu
Reliance Infrastructure Ltd has completed its fifth road project in Tamil Nadu. This road project from Salem to Ulundurpet in Tamil Nadu is expected to ease traffic flow to the city centre – Chennai. The four laning has been completed and toll collection has commenced.
The project is executed on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) pattern under the aegis of National Highways Authority of India. RInfra has been awarded the contract to operate and maintain the road for a concession period of 25 years. Built at a cost of Rs 1,061 crore, SU corridor connects major tourist destinations, industrial zones and the Chennai international airport. Yercaud – a hill station and an important tourist destination in Salem district will now be easily accessible through this corridor.
Sudhir R Hoshing, CEO (Roads) Reliance Infrastructure said, “This road projects is expected to provide hassle-free, safer and smooth driving experience. The corridor will not only connect centers of tourism and industrial zones, but will also reduce the rural-urban gap by connecting 79 villages with Chennai, Bangalore and other major cities. The corridor will witness approximately 8,500 vehicles per day that is expected to double in the next four years.”
He added that with the opening of SU corridor, five out of six road projects worth Rs 3,300 crore in Tamil Nadu are now operational and generating revenue. Starting from Salem, SU corridor involved realignment and widening of two lanes to four lanes. Some section of SU stretch had dangerous curves and steep rises that were realigned, so that commuters can maintain the minimum design speed and enjoy the comfort of drive.
With the widening of SU corridor, the average speed of vehicle will now increase from 35 kms per hour to approximately 70 km per hour, thereby reducing the traveling time by 40-50 per cent and saving fuel cost by almost 40 per cent. Commuters traveling the entire stretch can now cover this distance in less than two hours whereas earlier, the same distance used to take almost 3 hours 30 minutes. Access from Salem to Chennai Airport will also become much easier and convenient.
Keeping the traffic density in mind, 10 lane toll plazas were constructed on SU road. Each toll plaza is installed with Automated Toll System to further reduce the stop over time. Total 3 Toll Plazas are located on the entire stretch of the corridor, out of which two are currently operational. Commuters residing within 20 kms radius of these respective toll plazas can also avail the benefit of monthly discounted passes.
Source: MagicBricks.com Bureau
