Four-Lane Upgrade Approved for TN's Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Highway.

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for a significant infrastructure project in Tamil Nadu: the construction of a four-lane highway on the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram section. This vital upgrade, spanning 46.7 kilometers, will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) with a total capital cost of ₹1,853 crore.

Currently, road connectivity in the region, including key stretches linking Madurai, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Rameswaram, and Dhanushkodi, relies on the existing two-lane National Highway 87 (NH-87) and various State Highways. These routes frequently experience congestion, especially within populated areas and towns along the corridor, due to heavy traffic volumes.

The government's decision to upgrade NH-87 from Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram to a four-lane configuration aims to directly tackle these challenges. The primary objectives are to alleviate traffic congestion, significantly improve road safety, and better accommodate the mobility needs of towns like Paramakudi, Sathirakudi, Achundanvayal, and Ramanathapuram.

The proposed highway alignment is strategically designed to intersect with five National Highways (NH-38, NH-85, NH-36, NH-536, and NH-32) and three State Highways (SH-47, SH-29, SH-34). This comprehensive network integration will provide crucial linkage to key economic, transport, and logistics points throughout southern Tamil Nadu.

Beyond road connections, the upgraded corridor will also seamlessly link to essential transportation hubs, including two railway stations (Madurai and Rameswaram), one airport (Madurai), and two ports (Pamban and Rameswaram). This multi-modal connectivity is expected to streamline the movement of both goods and passengers across the region, boosting trade and travel.

Economically, the project is a significant boon for employment. Official estimates project that the construction and subsequent operations will generate approximately 8.4 lakh person-days of direct employment and an additional 10.45 lakh person-days of indirect employment.

Once completed, the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram four-lane highway is anticipated to substantially enhance transport access between vital economic and religious destinations. It is poised to play a crucial role in supporting local trade, fostering tourism, and stimulating industrial activity across southern Tamil Nadu.