NHAI floats tenders for widening Tiruchi-Chidambaram highway

(Representative image)

The 135-km work is estimated to entail an investment of about Rs. 1,950 crore
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has floated tenders for widening the Tiruchi-Chidambaram highway as a partial four-lane carriageway.

The work, involving a road length of 135 km, is estimated to entail an investment of about Rs. 1,950 crore. The project is scheduled to be completed within two and a half years of awarding the contract. It will be implemented in three packages so as to complete the project within the stipulated time.

NHAI sources told The Hindu that the project had been divided into three packages -- Tiruchi to Kallagam, Kallagam to Meensuritti and Meensuritti to Chidambaram -- for early completion. The first 50-km stretch from Tiruchi to Kallagam would be made a four-lane highway as it had been identified as a busy industrial belt due to the presence of a number of cement factories. From Kallagam to Chidambaram, there would be two lanes with extended pavement. The two-lane portion of the road would have a width of 10 metres.

The four lane highway would be a big boost to the industries in Tiruchi and Ariyalur districts. A railway over bridge would come up at Kallagam near Dalmiapuram. There would be at least 10 bridges in the first package.

The sources indicated that tenders for all three packages had been floated. The project is expected to be awarded in March. Land acquisition for the project has also gathered momentum. The State government has been asked to expedite the process of land acquisition, which has reached an advanced stage.

Source