**Policy Summary: Construction of 4-Lane Marakkanam-Puducherry NH-332A Project**
**Overview:** The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the construction of a 4-lane National Highway 332A (NH-332A) section between Marakkanam and Puducherry in Tamil Nadu. This project, covering a distance of 46 km, will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) with a total capital outlay of Rs. 2,157 crore.
**Problem Statement:** The existing 2-lane NH-332A and associated State Highways connecting Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam are experiencing significant congestion due to high traffic volume, particularly in densely populated areas and key towns along the corridor.
**Policy Solution:** The project involves upgrading approximately 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to a 4-lane configuration.
**Expected Outcomes:**
* Decongestion of the existing transportation corridor.
* Improved road safety for commuters.
* Enhanced mobility to meet the needs of growing towns such as Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram and Nagapattinam.
* Seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Tamil Nadu through integration with National Highways NH-32 and NH-332, and State Highways SH-136 and SH-203.
* Improved multimodal integration through connections with the Puducherry and Chinnababusamudram Railway Stations, the Chennai and Puducherry Airports, and the Cuddalore Minor Port.
* Stimulation of regional economic growth.
* Strengthened connectivity between major religious and economic centers.
* Boost to tourism in Puducherry.
* Creation of new opportunities for trade and industrial development.
* Generation of approximately 8 lakh persondays of direct employment and 10 lakh persondays of indirect employment.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways and transport infrastructure.
Marakkanam Puducherry: A section of road that is being upgraded to a 4-lane highway, connecting the town of Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu to the city of Puducherry, a Union Territory.
NH332A: National Highway 332A, a national highway in India that is being upgraded in this project.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where a portion of the highway construction is taking place.
Hybrid Annuity Mode: A model of infrastructure development and financing used for the road construction project.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: A major metropolitan city in Tamil Nadu, India, connected by the highway project.
Puducherry: A Union Territory in India and a key destination connected by the highway project.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: A committee within the Indian government responsible for approving economic projects.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Cabinet approves construction of 4-lane
Marakkanam – Puducherry (NH-332A) in Tamilnadu
on Hybrid Annuity Mode with an outlay of Rs.2157
crore
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 4:22PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has approved construction of 4-
lane Marakkanam – Puducherry (46 km) in Tamilnadu. The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity
Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs.2,157 crore.
Currently, connectivity between Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram & Nagapattinam is dependent on existing
2-lane National Highway 332A (NH-332A) and associated State Highways, which experience significant
congestion due to high traffic volumes, especially in densely populated stretches and key towns along the
corridor. To address these challenges, the project will upgrade approximately 46 km of NH-332A from
Marakkanam to Puducherry to a 4-lane configuration. This will decongest the existing corridor, improve
safety, and cater to the mobility needs of rapidly growing towns such as Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram &
Nagapattinam.
The project alignment integrates with 2 major National Highways (NH-32, NH-332) and two State Highways
(SH-136, SH-203), providing seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Tamil
Nadu. Additionally, the upgraded corridor will enhance multi-modal integration by connecting with two
Railway Stations (Puducherry, Chinnababusamudram), two Airports (Chennai, Puducherry), and one Minor
Port (Cuddalore) thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region.
Upon completion, the Marakkanam - Puducherry section will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth,
strengthening connectivity between major religious and economic centers, boosting tourism to Puducherry,
and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development. The project will also generate approximately
8 lakh person-days of direct and 10 lakh person-days of indirect employment, and will open new avenues of
growth, development and prosperity in surrounding regions.
Map of CorridorAppendix - I: Project Details