Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram highway expansion project approved

At a capital expenditure of ₹1,853 crore, the Union Cabinet has approved the four-laning of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram segment of NH-87 in Tamil Nadu with the goal of reducing traffic, improving multimodal connectivity, and boosting the southern region’s economy and tourism.

The 4-Lane Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Section (46.7 km) in Tamil Nadu has been cleared for building by the Union Cabinet. The project will have a total capital cost of ₹ 1,853 crore and be produced using the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Connectivity between Madurai, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Rameshwaram, and Dhanushkodi is currently reliant on the 2-lane National Highway 87 (NH-87) and related State Highways, which are severely congested due to heavy traffic, particularly in the corridor’s most important towns and densely populated sections. The project will convert roughly 46.7 km of NH-87 from Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram to a 4-lane design to address these issues. In addition to improving safety and meeting the mobility needs of quickly expanding towns like Paramakudi, Sathirakudi, Achundanvayal, and Ramanathapuram, this will declutter the current corridor.

The project alignment offers smooth access to important commercial, social, and logistical hubs throughout southern Tamil Nadu by integrating with three state highways (SH-47, SH-29, and SH-34) and five major national highways (NH-38, NH-85, NH-36, NH-536, and NH-32). Additionally, by connecting to two major railway stations (Madurai and Rameshwaram), one airport (Madurai), and two small ports (Pamban and Rameshwaram), the enhanced corridor will improve multi-modal integration and enable speedier movement of passengers and products throughout the region.

The Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram portion, once completed, would play a critical role in regional economic growth by improving communication between major religious and economic centres, increasing tourists to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi, and opening up new opportunities for trade and industrial development. Along with creating about 8.4 lakh direct and 10.45 lakh indirect job days, the project will also create new opportunities for growth, development, and prosperity in the neighbouring areas.