The decade-old Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) will be completed by the year-end, according to Highways Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. After missing several deadlines, the Rs 600-crore project was launched by Union Shipping Minister GK Vasan in January 2011.

The work started in June 2011 with a 24-month deadline. As only 60 per cent of work has been completed till date, Vasan gave an additional four months breathing time for the contractors. As the project is being implemented by National Highways Authority of India, State government, Chennai Port and Ennore Port, it was important to ensure co-operation from all the stakeholders to keep the project moving.