PWD Minister meets Nitin Gadkari in Delhi, seeks 6-lane upgrades for TN national highways

Hon'ble Minister for Public Works, Highways and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna today (02.06.2026) met Hon'ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Thiru Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum containing various requests relating to the development of Tamil Nadu's road infrastructure and highway department projects. 1. Vigorous implementation of the road safety policy to reduce road accidents. He requested urgent action, after discussion regarding the 71,313 road accidents on national highways in Tamil Nadu and the 18,421 fatalities that occurred last year, on measures such as increasing patrol vehicles and emergency response vehicles operated by the National Highways Authority of India to reduce accidents on national highways in Tamil Nadu, setting up trauma-care hospitals along highway stretches, and providing safe U-turn facilities. 2. Upgrading approximately 1,500 km of four-lane roads in Tamil Nadu to six lanes. Citing continuing heavy traffic congestion, growth in freight movement, industrial expansion, pressures arising from urbanisation, and the important role these corridors play in the economic growth of South India, he requested approval to implement, on a priority basis, a special scheme covering approximately 1,500 km of eligible national highway stretches in the State for six-lane upgradation. 3. Widening the Chengalpattu–Tindivanam (NH-32) stretch to 6/8 lanes. 4. Upgrading the Coimbatore bypass (Neelambur–Madukkarai, NH-544) to 6 lanes. 5. Upgrading the Trichy (Panjappur)–Jeyapuram–Karur (NH-81) stretch to 6 lanes. 6. Developing the Karur–Coimbatore (NH-81) stretch as an access-controlled 6-lane highway with a service road. 7. Elevated highway for Madhavaram–Pozhavaram (NH-16). 8. Elevated highway for Maduravoyal–Sriperumbudur (NH-48). 9. Widening of the Uppilipalayam elevated bypass road. 10. Approval for central road and infrastructure funding works for the year 2026-27. He also urged the swift implementation of the above requests. Issued By: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9