Puducherry: Gadkari Inaugurates And Lays Foundation Of Projects Worth Rs 2,000 Crore Including A Elevated Corridor And Four-Lane Highway

Puducherry witnessed a major infrastructure milestone on Monday (13 October) as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for and inaugurated three key National Highway (NH) projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore.

During his visit, Gadkari, was accompanied by Lt Governor K Kailashanathan, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, Union Minister Dr L Murugan and other senior officials.

These projects include the foundation laying of the Rs 436 crore elevated corridor and grade separator between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square on NH-32, the Rs 25 crore upgrade of the 14 km East Coast Road stretch under NH-332A, and the inauguration of the newly completed 38 km four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam section of NH-32, built at a cost of Rs 1,588 crore.

According to the ministry, the four km elevated corridor will dramatically improve local trade and mobility, carrying 60,000 PCUs daily and reducing travel time between Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi squares from 35 minutes to just 10 minutes.

Enhanced connectivity will further benefit pilgrims visiting temples such as Manakula Vinayagar temple, Chidambaram Natarajar temple, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram, while also boosting access to Auroville and Pichavaram.

Gadkari, during the event, informed that over the past decade, projects worth Rs 25,000 crore have been planned for the region — with works worth Rs 3,100 crore covering 85 km completed, Rs 11,000 crore for 200 km underway, and Rs 10,300 crore covering 103 km set to begin soon.

Responding to requests from the local government, he also announced the sanction of Rs 100 crore under Sethubandhan for small bridge projects.

He further announced a RS 650 crore project for a 3 km elevated corridor from Natesan Nagar RoB to Marapalam Junction and a 13.5 km four-lane stretch from Ariyankuppam to Mullodai.

He added that bids have been invited for the Rs 2,200 crore Marakkanam–Puducherry section, expected to be awarded before December this year.

Additionally, a Rs 1,600 crore six-lane elevated corridor from Madurai to Sriperumbudur on NH-48, the strengthening of a 22 km NH-32 stretch in Karaikal district at a cost of Rs 60 crore, and a Rs 3,000 crore six-lane elevated corridor from KCBT Bus Terminal to Mahindra City on NH-32 were also announced.

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