New Delhi: In a significant move to transform regional connectivity, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a package of National Highway projects valued at over ₹2,000 crore. The event, graced by Puducherry’s Lieutenant Governor Shri K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister Shri N. Rangaswamy, marks a pivotal step in decongesting the Union Territory and boosting its tourism and economic potential.
Strategic Projects Aim to Slash Travel Time and Fuel Costs
The inaugurated projects are strategically targeted at the most congested corridors in and around Puducherry. The key initiatives include the foundation stone laying for a modern 4-kilometre elevated corridor between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square on NH-32. Alongside this, the government has initiated improvements to the crucial 14-kilometre ECR Road on NH-332A and inaugurated the new 38-kilometre four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam section on NH-32. These projects are engineered to enhance road safety, streamline traffic flow, and provide significant economic and environmental benefits to commuters and residents.
Commuters Rejoice as Travel Time Plummets from 35 to 10 Minutes
The most immediate impact will be felt by daily commuters navigating the urban stretch of Puducherry. The forthcoming 4-kilometre elevated corridor is projected to dramatically reduce travel time between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square from a congested 35 minutes to a swift 10 minutes. Furthermore, the new road sections will allow motorists travelling from Viluppuram towards Cuddalore, Chidambaram, and Nagapattinam to completely bypass the busy Puducherry town centre, saving approximately 50 minutes of travel time. This efficiency is expected to translate into substantial fuel savings, reduced vehicular emissions, and lower vehicle operating costs.
Enhanced Pilgrimage Access and Tourism Connectivity
The improved road network is set to be a boon for tourism and pilgrimage in the region. Pilgrims visiting prominent spiritual centres like the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Natarajar Temple, Navagraha Temples, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram will experience smoother and more comfortable access. The enhanced connectivity is also designed to strengthen Puducherry’s position as a gateway to key destinations such as Auroville and the pristine mangrove forests of Pichavaram, providing a substantial boost to the local tourism economy and trade.
Gadkari Outlines National Infrastructure Vision and Green Initiatives
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari elaborated on the philosophy driving India’s infrastructure revolution. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government has prioritized national highway development, which has been directly linked to national prosperity. He highlighted that India’s National Highway network is now one of the largest in the world and detailed the government’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
The Minister announced groundbreaking initiatives, including the large-scale use of municipal waste in road construction, which has already consumed 80 lakh tonnes and successfully reduced the Ghazipur landfill in Delhi by 7 metres. He also emphasized the creation of water conservation lakes using NHAI resources and a major push towards alternative fuels. Gadkari revealed that adapting farm machinery to run on ethanol, CNG, or electricity could save farmers up to ₹1.5 lakh annually.
Massive ₹25,000 Crore Pipeline for Puducherry’s Future Unveiled
Looking beyond today’s inaugurations, Shri Gadkari unveiled an ambitious long-term infrastructure blueprint for Puducherry. He announced that a total of ₹25,000 crore worth of National Highway projects have been meticulously planned for the Union Territory. This massive investment is broken down into projects worth ₹3,100 crore spanning 85 kilometres that are already completed, ongoing works valuing ₹11,000 crore across 200 kilometres, and a robust pipeline of future projects worth ₹10,300 crore covering 103 kilometres.
The minister also gave in-principle approval for several new projects, including a ₹3,000 crore six-lane elevated corridor in Chengalpattu and a ₹2,200 crore four-lane upgrade for the Marakkanam–Puducherry section. He further announced an allocation of ₹100 crore under the Setu Bandhan Scheme for the construction of small bridges, ensuring last-mile connectivity across the region.
