Vandalur Bypass Road is a commonly used name for the Vandalur end of Chennai’s Outer Ring Road. The official ORR begins at Vandalur on NH-32/GST Road and runs about 60.15 km to Minjur, making Vandalur an important southern gateway for traffic heading around western and northern Chennai.
The name can be confusing because nearby corridors overlap. The Vandalur end of the ORR is different from the Chennai Bypass near Perungalathur/Irumbuliyur and from the 9.3 km Tambaram Eastern Bypass. This article focuses on the Vandalur-ORR corridor.
Quick About Vandalur Bypass Road
| Particular | Details |
| Location | Vandalur / Mannivakkam side, southern Chennai Metropolitan Area |
| Official Parent Corridor | Chennai Outer Ring Road (ORR) |
| Outer Ring Road Length | About 60.15 km |
| Starting Point | Vandalur on NH-32 / GST Road |
| Phase I | Vandalur to Nemilichery, 29.65 km |
| Important Highway Connection | Nazarathpet on NH-48 |
| Main Directions | Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Poonamallee, Avadi, Red Hills and Minjur |
| Nearby Areas | Vandalur, Mannivakkam, Kilambakkam, Urapakkam and Perungalathur |
| Nearest Railway Station | Vandalur Railway Station (VDR) |
| Major Bus Terminus | Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam |
| Nearest Airport | Chennai International Airport |
| Toll | ORR is tolled; Varadharajapuram is the first major toll plaza from Vandalur |
Where Is Vandalur Bypass Road Located?
Vandalur Bypass lies at the southern entry to Chennai’s ORR near Vandalur, Mannivakkam and Kilambakkam. TNRDC identifies chainage 0+000 at Vandalur on NH-32 and the northern end at Minjur.
CMDA lists Vandalur, Mannivakkam, Kilambakkam and Perungalathur among ORR Phase I villages. ‘Vandalur Bypass’ is therefore a local name for a defined ORR section rather than a separate notified project.
Connectivity of Vandalur Bypass Road
From Vandalur, the ORR lets vehicles leave GST Road and travel around western and northern Chennai. It connects Nazarathpet on NH-48, Nemilichery on NH-716, Padiyanallur on NH-16 and Minjur.
Southbound NH-32 leads to Urapakkam, Guduvancheri, Maraimalai Nagar and Chengalpattu, while local roads connect Kelambakkam, Mudichur and Tambaram.
Poonamallee, Nazarathpet and Bengaluru Connectivity
At Nazarathpet, the ORR meets NH-48 for Poonamallee, Sriperumbudur and Bengaluru.
TNRDC records the Vandalur-Nazarathpet section at about 19.65 km and six lanes, allowing Bengaluru-bound traffic to avoid much of inner Chennai.
Avadi, Red Hills and Minjur Connectivity
Beyond Nazarathpet, the ORR continues towards Nemilichery, Padiyanallur and Minjur, serving Avadi, Red Hills and the North Chennai side.
Heavy vehicles can use this peripheral route without entering central Chennai.
Tambaram, Perungalathur and GST Road Connectivity
NH-32/GST Road connects Vandalur with Perungalathur, Tambaram, Chromepet and Guindy to the north, and Urapakkam, Guduvancheri and Chengalpattu to the south.
The Chennai Bypass interchange is farther north near Perungalathur/Irumbuliyur and is a different corridor towards Maduravoyal and Madhavaram.
Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road and OMR Connectivity
Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road connects the area with Mambakkam, Kandigai, VIT Chennai, Kelambakkam and OMR.
It is useful for Siruseri and Navalur trips but is separate from the ORR and can be congested.
Kilambakkam Bus Terminus Connectivity
Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam lies just south of Vandalur on GST Road and handles many southbound mofussil and intercity buses.
Private operators use separate Vandalur, Urapakkam and Kilambakkam boarding points. A ticket saying ‘Vandalur’ usually means a GST Road stop, so follow the exact operator pin.
Railway Connectivity
Vandalur Railway Station, code VDR, is on the Chennai suburban railway corridor towards Chengalpattu. Southern Railway lists Vandalur as a station in the Chennai Division.
Suburban trains run towards Tambaram/Chennai and Guduvancheri/Chengalpattu. An auto or cab may be needed between the station and ORR-side points.
Metro Connectivity: Current 2026 Position
Vandalur does not yet have an operational Chennai Metro station. CMRL has prepared a 15.46 km Airport-Kilambakkam extension with 13 elevated stations, and the proposed corridor passes through Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur and Vandalur before reaching Kilambakkam.
The revised DPR integrates Metro with an elevated road and includes ORR connectivity near Tambaram. CMRL also invited a 2026 DPR consultancy for a future Kilambakkam-Chengalpattu extension.
Airport Connectivity
Chennai International Airport is the nearest major airport, normally reached by GST Road through Tambaram, Chromepet and Pallavaram.
GST Road can be heavily congested at peak times; the planned elevated road and Metro are not yet operational.
Nearby Areas Around Vandalur Bypass
Vandalur, Mannivakkam, Kilambakkam, Urapakkam and Perungalathur are key nearby areas. Mudichur lies west, while Kandigai and Kelambakkam are towards OMR.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur is one of the best-known landmarks in the area and is useful when identifying the GST Road side of Vandalur.
Shops and Daily Facilities
The Vandalur-Kilambakkam belt has fuel stations, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, workshops and shops.
On the high-speed ORR, drivers should use service roads and designated stopping areas.
Traffic Conditions on Vandalur Bypass
The Vandalur interchange carries cars, buses, trucks and local traffic. Holiday departures can create queues around Perungalathur, Vandalur and Kilambakkam.
Check live traffic because interchange ramps, toll plazas and local junctions can still become busy.
Chennai Outer Ring Road Toll Information
The ORR is tolled. TNRDC identifies toll plazas at Varadharajapuram, Kolappancheri, Palavedu and Chinnamullaivoyal; Varadharajapuram is the first from Vandalur, around chainage 6+000.
The latest official toll announcement easily verifiable in this research covered April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. Because that schedule has expired, this article does not quote it as the current September 2026 rate. Drivers should check the latest TNRDC toll notice before travel.
Tambaram Eastern Bypass: Separate 2026 Project
The 9.3 km Tambaram Eastern Bypass is a separate Highways Department project from the Rajakilpakkam/Madambakkam side towards Perungalathur, including a Vandalur Reserve Forest connection.
In March 2026, the remaining forest-linked section was delayed by land-transfer issues, while later reports showed completed stretches carrying traffic. The project remains separate from the operational ORR.
Current Road and Transport Developments
The main long-term change is the proposed Airport-Kilambakkam Metro and elevated-road corridor, which includes Vandalur and ORR connectivity near Tambaram.
Until these projects are commissioned, travellers should rely on NH-32, the ORR and currently open local roads.
Conclusion
Vandalur Bypass Road is best understood as the Vandalur starting section of Chennai’s 60.15 km Outer Ring Road. It links NH-32/GST Road with Nazarathpet on NH-48 and then continues around western and northern Chennai towards Nemilichery, Padiyanallur and Minjur. The corridor is useful for Bengaluru, Avadi, Red Hills and North Chennai travel, while GST Road provides direct access to Tambaram, Kilambakkam and Chengalpattu. Vandalur Railway Station serves local rail passengers, and the Airport-Kilambakkam Metro extension remains a future project. Travellers should distinguish this road from both the Chennai Bypass and Tambaram Eastern Bypass and check current ORR toll rates before travel.
FAQs About Vandalur Bypass Road
Q1. Is Vandalur Bypass the same as Chennai Outer Ring Road?
Vandalur Bypass is the commonly used name for the Vandalur end of the Chennai Outer Ring Road. The official ORR continues for about 60.15 km from Vandalur to Minjur.
Q2. Is Vandalur Bypass the same as Chennai Bypass?
No. Chennai Bypass starts near the Perungalathur/Irumbuliyur side and runs towards Maduravoyal and Madhavaram. Vandalur is the southern starting point of the Outer Ring Road.
Q3. Which route should I use from Vandalur towards Bengaluru?
Use the Outer Ring Road towards Nazarathpet and join NH-48 for the Sriperumbudur-Bengaluru direction, subject to live traffic and toll conditions.
Q4. Is there a toll near Vandalur Bypass?
Yes. The ORR is tolled, and Varadharajapuram is the first major toll plaza from the Vandalur end. Check the current TNRDC rate because the 2025-26 schedule has expired.
Q4. My bus ticket says Vandalur. Should I go to the Outer Ring Road?
Not automatically. Most current private-bus listings use a GST Road-side Vandalur bus stop. Follow the exact operator landmark or live pin rather than assuming an ORR pickup.
Q5. Which railway station is closest to Vandalur Bypass?
Vandalur Railway Station is the local suburban station. Depending on the exact bypass point, Perungalathur or Urapakkam may also be practical for some journeys.
Q6. Is Metro available at Vandalur?
No operational Metro station is available at Vandalur yet. The proposed Airport-Kilambakkam extension will pass through Vandalur, but it remains a future project.
Q7. Is Tambaram Eastern Bypass the same road?
No. It is a separate 9.3 km Highways Department project intended to bypass Tambaram and connect towards Perungalathur through the Vandalur forest-side area.
