The Centre has inaugurated and laid foundation stones for major national highway (NH) projects in Puducherry worth over Rs 20 billion, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and reducing traffic congestion. The Centre inaugurated the 38 km four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam section of NH-32, constructed at Rs 15.88 billion, and laid the foundation stones for a 4 km elevated corridor between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square on NH-32 (Rs 4.36 billion), as well as improvements to the 14 km East Coast Road (NH-332A) (Rs 0.25 billion). These projects are expected to cut travel time within the urban stretch from 35 to 10 minutes and help bypass the busy Puducherry town, saving motorists nearly 50 minutes.
Further, the Centre announced new projects including a four-lane elevated corridor (3 km) connecting Natesan Nagar to Marapalam Junction and the Ariyankuppam to Mullodai section (13.5 km) estimated at Rs 6.50 billion; a four-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry section on NH-332A (46 km) costing Rs 22 billion; a six-lane elevated corridor from Madurai to Sriperumbudur on NH-48 (8 km) with Rs 16 billion; strengthening of a 22 km NH-32 section in Karaikal (Rs 0.60 billion); and a six-lane elevated corridor from KCBT Bus Terminal to Mahindra City at Chengalpattu on NH-32 costing Rs 30 billion.
Overall, Rs 250 billion worth of NH projects are planned for Puducherry, with significant portions already completed or underway. An additional Rs 1 billion has been allocated under the Setu Bandhan Scheme for small bridge construction. These efforts reflect the Centre’s commitment to infrastructure development as a foundation for India’s future growth, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.