NHAI to float bids for key road projects to link Rameshwaram

CHENNAI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon float bids for three important road projects in Tamil Nadu which will significantly cut travel time to the pilgrim island of Rameshwaram by road.

NHAI is executing several highway projects in Tamil Nadu aimed at improving connectivity to Rameshwaram, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day.

As part of this initiative, NHAI has so far completed work in the 90 km stretch in the two-lane highway between Tiruchi and Ramanathapuram via Karaikudi. This highway with paved shoulders on NH 210 has been executed at a cost of Rs 374 crore.

Soon, NHAI will start the bidding round for three more road projects that will improve Rameswaram's connectivity with the rest of Tamil Nadu, official sources told PTI.

The 84 km two lane Karaikudi-Ramanathapuram road (Rs 284 crore outlay ), an extension of Tiruchi Ramanathapuram stretch, Madurai-Ramanathapuram via Paramakudi (four lane, 115 km, outlay Rs 800 crore on NH 49) and Ramanathapuram-Rameswaram (two lane, 60 km Rs 145 crore) are the three road projects.

All other important related work, including land acquisition, has been completed. The projects are being executed through the Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode by NHAI. The funding will be done by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The work is expected to start within six months and the tentative time for project completion is 30 months.

These projects, when completed, are expected to halve the travel time to reach Rameshwaram from Tiruchi and Madurai.

The travel time is presently three and a half hours from Madurai and five hours from Tiruchi to reach Rameswaram.