Tamil Nadu minister unveils ₹947 crore highway widening project and promises reports for 182 requests

Tamil Nadu plans to turn a 43.16-km stretch of National Highway 75 between Pathalampalli and Latheri into a four-lane road at an estimated cost of ₹947.46 crore.

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna announced the project during a state Assembly discussion on road infrastructure. The proposal includes an 11.85-km bypass crossing 13 villages, as well as new bridges, culverts and upgrades to major junctions. Land acquisition is under way, while the project awaits final administrative approval.

The minister also assured legislators that detailed project reports would be prepared for 182 other requests submitted to the government. Members across party lines called for bypass roads, high-level bridges and junction improvements to address congestion and road accidents.

Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam sought bypasses along the busy Madurai-Theni corridor, particularly at Usilampatti and Andipatti. CPI member T Ramachandran cited commercial traffic from nearby industrial areas, while Cumbum MLA Jagannath Mishra raised the frequency of fatal crashes in his constituency.

Other requests included a roundabout or elevated flyover from AIADMK member Arunmozhi Devan, a high-level bridge between Agaracheri and Koodanagaram from PMK legislator G Kumar, and widening and resurfacing on roads near Tiruppur from TVK MLA V Sathyabama. The minister said the bridge proposal remained at an initial evaluation stage.