NHAI hastens Rs. 2,661.75-cr East Coast Road widening works

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accelerated the pace of work of the East Coast Road widening in Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal districts and the project is destined to be completed in the next couple of months at an investment of Rs. 2,661.75 crore. The widened highway project NH-32 will connect Chennai and Thoothukudi through East Coast Road. The project is crucial for the coastal districts of the State as it connects Chennai and Thoothukudi ports via Karaikal port and would also improve connectivity between coastal areas.

The expansion works involved a 55-km stretch from Kadavacherry bordering Cuddalore - Mayiladuthurai districts near Sirkazhi to Vanjore near Karaikal - Nagapattinam districts. In fact, the project has attained momentum between Villupuram and Chidambaram and is likely to be completed this year itself. The greenfield component of widening the existing two-way lane into a four-way includes constructing a new bridge across the Kollidam river adjacent to the existing structure.