The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) has approved the Rs 204 crore steel bridge project that will connect East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) across the Buckingham Canal. 

The authority has recommended the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to consider granting CRZ clearance.

In its recent meeting, TNSCZMA directed the Highways Department to ensure that the canal’s natural hydrology, water flow, and spread remain unaffected during both construction and operation.

According to the proposal, the bridge will come up at Neelankarai, providing direct connectivity between Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam 200 Feet Road, OMR, and ECR. Currently, the two arterial roads connect only at Tiruvanmiyur and Sholinganallur, leaving an 11 km stretch without a link.

The new bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time and offer direct access to Chennai Airport from Tiruvanmiyur.