By October, widening work of ECR from Villupuram to Nagapattinam will be completed!!
Local motorists as well as long distance travellers now have a reason to feel happy!!
It is now brought out that the work to widen the ECR or east Coast Road from Villupuram to Nagapattinam would get completed by October 2025. It is noteworthy that 4 lane wide road NH32 (NH- 45A) with median and service lanes taken up as a part of Bharatmala Pariyojana Scheme has been completed up to Sattanathapuram.
It was later brought to light by a resident from Chidambaram who frequently travels to Puducherry and Kumbakonam that the new road has cut down travel time to a huge extent. She spoke about how she was able to go to Cuddalore in just 30 minutes and to Villupuram in 1.5hours. Now, the destinations have been reached faster by the public.
Another traveller who has travelled to Kumbakonam mentioned that he has been using the road just recently and it was comfortable. Point is that the old ECR was narrow and certain stretches with curves were dangerous for the travellers. It must be noted that in the new road in stretches especially atop bridges do not have lights. Two wheelers moving along the wrong side has been an issue here. He concluded that more eateries, car parking spots etc could be opened along the highway so that families travelling could take a break and relax.
According to some sources belonging to NHAI or National Highway Authority of India, highway patrolling would be intensified and local motorists would be educated regarding not to drive on the wrong side. The sources explained that enough vehicular underpasses have been provided for the local traffic. It is learnt that light fixtures are being installed at certain road stretches and would be electrified soon. It must be taken into account that the four laning of the NH-32 is being carried out in 4 contract packages. Point is that this section of the road is 5-10km away from the coast. There are mangroves present in abundance in the area.
Important piece of information is that minor works are going on in both packages 1 from Villupuram to Puducherry for a distance of 29km (constructed at a cost of Rs 1013cr) and on the 38km stretch from Puducherry to Poondiyankuppam (constructed at a cost of Rs 1228 cr).
All the works have been completed in package 3 from Poondiayankuppam to Sattanathapuram of a distance of 56.8km (constructed at a cost of Rs 2120 cr). A distance of 31km has been completed in package 4 that runs from Sattanathapuram to Nagapattinam of distance 55.75km. At a cost of Rs 1905 cr, work on this stretch has been taken up.
