Cabinet Clears ₹2,157 Crore 4-Lane Marakkanam–Puducherry NH-332A Project in Tamil Nadu

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the construction of a 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry (46 km) section in Tamil Nadu. The project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.

Currently, connectivity between Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam depends on the existing 2-lane National Highway 332A (NH-332A) and associated State Highways, which experience significant congestion due to high traffic volumes, especially in densely populated stretches and key towns along the corridor. To address these challenges, the project will upgrade approximately 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to a 4-lane configuration. This will decongest the existing corridor, improve safety, and cater to the mobility needs of rapidly growing towns such as Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam.

The project alignment integrates with two major National Highways (NH-32, NH-332) and two State Highways (SH-136, SH-203), providing seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics hubs across Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the upgraded corridor will enhance multi-modal integration by connecting with two railway stations (Puducherry, Chinnababusamudram), two airports (Chennai, Puducherry), and one minor port (Cuddalore), thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region.

Upon completion, the Marakkanam–Puducherry section will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, strengthening connectivity between major religious and economic centers, boosting tourism to Puducherry, and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development. The project is also expected to generate approximately 8 lakh person-days of direct employment and 10 lakh person-days of indirect employment, thereby contributing to growth, development, and prosperity in the surrounding regions.