NHAI launches ₹1,340-cr four-lane highway project

Construction of the much-delayed four-laning of the Kumbakonam-Thanjavur sections of NH-45-C is set to start soon following completion of land acquisition by NHAI. The ₹1,340-crore project was conceived under the National Highway Development Project (Phase-IV) in 2016. The state government has already acquired 230 hectares in Thanjavur. Of the 48.6km-stretch, 33km (in two parts) will be greenfield and the remaining 15-km would be converted from two-lanes to four-lanes. The bypass will connect Thanjavur and Kumbakonam towns and touch the Thanjavur Ring Road. NHAI sources said that once the bypass would reduce travel time to 30 minutes by avoiding the congested and narrow stretches at Kumbakonam, Swamimalai, Papanasam and Ammapettai areas, and ease traffic on the existing two-lane road that passes through towns and villages along the stretch between Thanjavur and Kombakonam.