Cabinet approves 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry stretch of NH-332A at ₹2,157 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 8 August 2025 approved a 46-km, 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry section of NH-332A in Tamil Nadu on Hybrid Annuity Mode at a capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the construction of a 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry section of about 46 km on NH-332A in Tamil Nadu on 8 August 2025. The project will be built on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore and includes a greenfield, access-controlled Puducherry bypass. It will ease congestion on the existing 2-lane NH-332A, link two railway stations, two airports (Chennai and Puducherry) and the minor port of Cuddalore, and generate about 8 lakh person-days of direct and 10 lakh person-days of indirect employment.
Key facts
- Approved
- 8 Aug 2025, CCEA
- Section
- Marakkanam–Puducherry, NH-332A, about 46 km, 4-lane
- Mode
- Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- Cost
- ₹2,157 crore
- Feature
- Greenfield access-controlled Puducherry bypass
- Links
- 2 railway stations, Chennai and Puducherry airports, Cuddalore minor port
- Jobs
- About 8 lakh direct and 10 lakh indirect person-days
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry project approved by the CCEA on 8 August 2025 is on which national highway?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — NH-332A
The project upgrades about 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to four lanes.
The Marakkanam–Puducherry highway project approved in August 2025 will be developed on which mode?
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Correct answer: A — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Marakkanam–Puducherry project: 1. It includes a greenfield, access-controlled Puducherry bypass. 2. It will connect with the minor port of Cuddalore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The project includes a greenfield, access-controlled Puducherry bypass, and the upgraded corridor will connect two railway stations, two airports and the minor port of Cuddalore.