S Viswanathan, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority and JP Irene Cynthia, Chairperson and MD, Kamarajar Port Ltd, at a press conference in Chennai. | Photo Credit: Bijoy Ghosh

The long-delayed four-lane elevated corridor connecting Chennai Port and Maduravoyal is expected to be operational by November 2027, according to S Viswanathan, Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority.

The ₹3,570-crore project, being executed by the National Highways Authority of India, has achieved around 25-27 per cent physical progress so far.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Viswanathan said construction was progressing at a rapid pace and expressed confidence that the elevated corridor would be completed within the target timeline. To support seamless connectivity with the new corridor, Chennai Port is also undertaking internal road and intersection improvement works at a cost of ₹37.18 crore.

The 20.9-km elevated corridor project, originally launched in 2010, had been stalled and eventually terminated in 2016. It was revived in 2023 following requests from the Tamil Nadu government and Chennai Port Trust after recommendations by a technical committee. The project features a two-tier design aimed at segregating cargo and passenger traffic for smoother movement.

Once completed, the corridor is expected to substantially enhance cargo evacuation efficiency and boost Chennai Port’s cargo handling capacity from the current 53 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to nearly 200 mtpa by 2047.

Viswanathan, along with J P Irene Cynthia, Chairperson and Managing Director of Kamarajar Port Limited, said that the two ports together handled a record 107 million tonnes (MT) of cargo during FY26, surpassing the previous year’s 103.37 MT. Chennai Port handled 57.90 MT, while Kamarajar Port handled 49.08 MT.

“A car is being exported every 80 seconds from Chennai and Kamarajar ports,” Viswanathan said.

Combined operating income of the two ports crossed ₹2,400 crore during the year. Chennai Port reported a record operating income of ₹1,185.01 crore and a net surplus of ₹434 crore in FY26. Kamarajar Port posted an 8.85 per cent year-on-year rise in income from operations to ₹1,239 crore and recorded its highest-ever net profit of ₹596 crore.

Total capital expenditure by the two ports stood at ₹992 crore in FY26, including ₹195 crore by Chennai Port, ₹478 crore by Kamarajar Port and ₹320 crore invested by PPP partners of KPL.

Among major infrastructure initiatives, Chennai Port will develop a multi-level car parking facility under PPP mode at a cost of ₹400 crore. The Jawahar Dock entrance is also being widened and strengthened with an investment of ₹417 crore. At Kamarajar Port, the ₹921-crore IOCL captive jetty and the ₹261-crore Coal Berth-3 project have been completed.

Cynthia also said KPL would develop a second container terminal on a DBFOT basis at an estimated cost of ₹4,288 crore, with bid documents currently under preparation.

Published on May 22, 2026