The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has formally opened one arm of the new elevated corridor above the ₹21-crore vehicular underpass on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) near the municipal office of Melvisharam town in Ranipet on Saturday, bringing relief to hundreds of motorists.

NHAI officials said this would ease traffic congestion on the service lanes of the stretch. It would also prevent accidents on the lanes especially during night. “The second arm of the new elevated corridor will be opened in the coming days after black topping the carriageway. Completed arm of the facility was opened to allow ambulances and government buses to use the new corridor to prevent them from getting stuck in traffic on service lanes,” a NHAI official told The Hindu.