The NHAI has decided to widen the 61.4km-stretch from Mahabalipuram to Marakkanam into a four-lane road and has recently floated bids for ₹1,209 crore East Coast Road corridor (ECR) cleared under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I. The existing road has a width of seven to 14 metres from Mahabalipuram up to Marakkanam and will be widened to 60 to 70 metres with service lanes at select locations in a phased manner. The widening of the 31-km-stretch between Mahabalipuram and Mugaiyur is to be taken up at the cost of ₹617.47 crore and the 30.4km-stretch from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam at a cost of ₹592.44 crore. The Mahabalipuram-Mugaiyur stretch will get vehicular underpasses and grade separators at 14 locations. Similarly, vehicular underpasses will be provided at 11 locations between Mugaiyur and Marakkanam and that every 2.5 km in the ECR will have provision for U-turn through underpasses which will prevent vehicles crossing over in the main carriageway, said NHAI officials.
