Pon Radhakrishnan seeks TN’s cooperation for ECR to be made over to NH

Chennai: The Centre has sought of the Tamil Nadu government the handing over of the entire ECR stretch from Chennai to Kanyakumari to the national highways for development as a corridor as the stretch abounds in tourist attractions. “This will facilitate economic development in a big way as nearly 60 per cent of the tourist attractions fall under this stretch, which is presently under the control of the state highways,” Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping PonRadhakrishnan said.

Expressing that the Centre was willing to declare and upgrade the entire East Coast Road (ECR) the minister who called on state finance minister O. Panneerselvam at the secretariat on Thursday evening, said upgradation of ECR would not only lead to improvement of amenities for residents and tourists but also trigger employment opportunities.

The Centre has planned four laning of the ECR from Mamallapuram to Kanyakumari, and the project has been sent to the state government for approval. Asked about the response from the state government, Mr. Radhakrishnan replied, “the government is cooperative. I have also asked speedy clearance for the Chennai Port to Maduravoyal expressway and also the Colachel port in Kanyakumari district… The meeting was cordial.”