Final Phase of Pudukottai–Aranthangi Highway Widening to Begin Next Month

The State Highways Department would catalyze the final round of widening works on the Pudukottai-Aranthangi Highway, which interconnects southern Tamil Nadu towns. The project will cost ₹115 crore and turn the remaining 19 km of road into a four-lane highway, and construction commence next month and were supposed to be completed within ten months of this date.

The expansion of the highway is also part of a larger initiative for capacity improvement and ensuring smoother, safer travels, which is worth ₹198 crores in total. Earlier, the first two phases, costing ₹83 crores, measured together up to 10.8 km. According to the officials, the next phase will be very critical in ensuring seamless connectivity between commuters, transport operators, and industries in the region. Under the works, nearly 340 trees will be felled along the affected route.

The clearance was granted after review by the District Green Committee, and undertaking compensatory measures by planting new saplings in identified locations. “Tree removal is unavoidable at certain portions due to alignment requirements, but efforts have been taken to restore green cover through plantation drives,” according to an officer. The completion of the four-lane highway should ease the bottlenecks of traffic, reduce travel time, and improve road safety on this stretch, which is highly trafficked.

The highway also links Pudukottai and its neighboring areas to coastal towns, which promote trade and enhance connectivity to the national highways. The Highways Department has set a deadline to complete the project within the stipulated ten months. Authorities are also planning to monitor progress with a close eye to avert delays that might incur added costs. For residents and regular commuters, the widened road is expected to hugely improve travel conditions. Transport operators welcome the project as congestion will be reduced and goods can move more smoothly. On completion, the Pudukottai Aranthangi Highway would come up as one of the most significant infrastructure initiatives in the district over the last many years.