The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has speeded up the East Coast Road expansion works in Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal districts and has scheduled to complete it by July 2024.

In terms of milestones, work has gained progress by nearly 65 percent between Villupuram and Chidambaram. The pace has picked up since April in the Mayiladuthurai- Karaikal stretch as prior issues have been sorted out.

The widening of the existing two-way lane into a four-way includes constructing a new bridge across the Kollidam river adjacent to the existing structure. The project aims to widen NH-32 connecting Chennai and Thoothukudi through the East Coast Road. The significance is magnified as it would ease commuting via Karaikal port and also improve connectivity between coastal areas.

The work has been undertaken for the 55-km stretch from Kadavacherry bordering Cuddalore - Mayiladuthurai districts near Sirkazhi to Vanjore near Karaikal - Nagapattinam districts at an estimated cost is Rs 2,661.75 crore. The project has been facing resource crunch, financial bottlenecks and issues in land acquisition.