If you’re driving around Chennai, you may notice several roads undergoing cold milling as part of the Highways Department’s efforts to improve road conditions. Roads such as Velachery-SRP Tools Road, Lakshmi Puram-Puzhal Road, and Chennai-Ennore Road are currently being milled and will soon be re-laid.According to sources from the Highways Department, around 150 meters of road surface is milled daily to remove the old asphalt layer before resurfacing. The milling process is conducted end-to-end to prevent sharp edges that could pose risks to two-wheeler riders. When milling is done in small patches, extra precautions are taken to ensure smooth transitions for motorists. The work follows court guidelines to maintain road height consistency after relaying.
While paver machines can lay about 400 to 500 meters of road per day, the milling process progresses at a slower rate of around 150 meters per day. Resurfacing is typically done two days after milling, and the entire process is completed in just 3 to 4 days, despite the official tender period allowing up to a month.
To minimize traffic disruptions, milling, dust removal, and resurfacing are being carried out at night. The project, costing Rs. 10 crore, covers important roads in areas like Vanagaram, Puzhal, Ambattur, Madhavaram, and Red Hills.
A resident from Thiruvanmiyur highlighted the need for warning signages before milled road sections, which would help motorists slow down and prevent accidents. He noted that speeding by larger vehicles on these uneven surfaces increases risks for two-wheeler riders, making it essential to implement safety measures.
