₹1,853 Crore Boost for Tamil Nadu: New NH-87 Section Approved

On July 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the construction of a four-lane section of National Highway-87 between Paramakudi and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu, at a cost of ₹1,853 crore. The 46.7-km stretch will be developed as a greenfield/brownfield project under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), combining public funding with private investment.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the new highway will ease congestion on the current two-lane route that connects Madurai, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Rameswaram, and Dhanushkodi—an important corridor for pilgrim, tourism, and freight traffic.

The project will decongest key bottlenecks near Paramakudi, Sathirakudi, Achundanvayal, and Ramanathapuram, enhance road safety, and reduce travel time to major religious and economic hubs along the Gulf of Mannar. Construction is expected to generate approximately 8.4 lakh person-days of direct and 10.45 lakh person-days of indirect employment.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.