National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received the Madras High Court's (HC) nod to go ahead with the 107 km Tiruchi-Karaikudi highway project spread across three districts in south and central Tamil Nadu.

Tiruchi-Karaikudi highway project, worth Rs 374 crore, has been undertaken by the private concessionaire, Transstroy Tiruchi-Karaikudi Tollways, on BOT basis.

In a directive issued by the High Court, covering three petitions filed by the NHAI, the HC subjugated the Public Works Department, Tamil Nadu's order for stopping work on the project, on grounds that the alignment of the road impacts water bodies.

At the initial stage, the work was stalled on the project running through Tiruchi, Pudukottai and Sivagangai and linking National Highways - NH-67, NH-45B, NH-210, and NH-45 due to the stop-work notices issued by the PWD.

However, NHAI had attained an interim injunction in early 2013, to be able to continue with the project, which also involves establishing new bypass for major cities and towns - Tiruchi, Keeranur, Pudukottai, Thirumayam and Karaikudi.

Though HC, with its nod, has cleared the hurdles for the project, it has asked NHAI to preserve the water bodies, and to carry out and bear the expenses of any desilting or restoration that is required.

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