A consortium involving Indian firms GMR and NAPC has won a Rs1,100 crore (approximately $228m) contract for the first phase of Outer Ring Road in the city of Chennai.

The companies will design, build, operate, finance and transfer the project. Work involves building a 30km, four-lane highway with a large median.

The contract period spans 30 years including three years for construction and 27 years for operation and maintenance.

The total Outer Ring Road project involves building a 62km road network connecting NH45 at Vandalur, NH4 at Nazarathpet, NH 205 at Nemilichery, NH5 at Nallur and TPP road at Minjur.

The State government has provided Rs 300 crore for the construction phase of the project.

Work is expected to begin early next year.