Cabinet Approves Construction of 4-Lane Marakkanam – Puducherry Highway with ₹2157 Crore Investment

New Delhi, August 8: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, on Friday approved the construction of a 46-kilometer, 4-lane highway from Marakkanam to Puducherry on National Highway 332A (NH-332A) in Tamil Nadu. The project, estimated to cost ₹2,157 crore, will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Currently, the connectivity between Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam relies on the existing 2-lane NH-332A and state highways, which are frequently congested due to heavy traffic, particularly in densely populated areas and major towns along the route. The new 4-lane configuration aims to alleviate these traffic bottlenecks, enhance safety, and improve overall mobility across the region, the CCEA said in a statement.

The upgraded corridor will integrate with two major National Highways (NH-32, NH-332) and two State Highways (SH-136, SH-203), ensuring seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistical hubs across Tamil Nadu. This initiative will also facilitate better multi-modal integration by linking to two major railway stations (Puducherry, Chinnababusamudram), two airports (Chennai, Puducherry), and the Cuddalore Minor Port, significantly improving the flow of goods and passengers.

The project is expected to have a substantial positive impact on the regional economy. By connecting important religious and economic centers, it will promote tourism in Puducherry and bolster industrial and trade growth. Additionally, the project will create substantial employment opportunities, generating an estimated 8 lakh person-days of direct employment and 10 lakh person-days of indirect employment.

Once completed, the Marakkanam – Puducherry highway will play a pivotal role in driving regional development, contributing to prosperity, and facilitating the movement of people and goods throughout the region, the government added.