EVR Periyar Salai or Grand Western Trunk Road? Chennai road name board sparks controversy When contacted, an official from the State Highways department said that records had always shown the road's name as Grand Western Trunk Road. Share Via Email | A+A A- By Express News Service CHENNAI: Is it EVR Periyar Salai or the Grand Western Trunk Road? A board put up by the Highways department near the Chennai Central Metro station mentioning the latter rather than the former has sparked a controversy with opposition parties slamming the move. The road, previously known as Poonamalle High Road, was renamed EVR Periyar Salai in 1979 by then Chief Minister M G Ramachandran during the Periyar centenary celebrations.