NHAI also announced several projects aimed at improving connectivity in Tier-II cities
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has outlined an ambitious long term expansion plan for Tamil Nadu, with highway projects spanning about 2,500 km and requiring investments of more than ₹1 lakh crore in the coming years, even as work on another 855 km of national highways worth over ₹33,000 crore is under progress, said Virender Sambyal, Regional Officer, NHAI, without giving a timeframe.Among the marquee projects planned are the Chennai–Trichy–Madurai Greenfield Access-Controlled Corridor; six-laning of the Chengalpattu–Tindivanam section of NH-32, the elevated corridor from Maduravoyal to Sriperumbudur on NH-48, four-laning of the Nagapattinam–Thoothukudi–Kanyakumari stretch of NH-32, and improved road connectivity to Cuddalore Port, he said. He was speaking at CII Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Summit 2026 in Chennai on Monday.NHAI also announced several projects aimed at improving connectivity in Tier-II cities. .The proposed investments in Tamil Nadu are expected to strengthen freight movement, improve connectivity to industrial clusters and ports, and support Tamil Nadu’s growing manufacturing and export economy.I Jeyakumar, Member Secretary/Special Officer, Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), said the State has drawn up an ambitious proposal to develop a state-wide road network at an estimated investment of ₹1,36,996 crore, covering 144 corridors with a combined length of 4,543.5 km. This is part of the Vision 2035 for the road sector.The proposed network has been jointly planned by the NHAI and the State Highways Department (HD), with projects aimed at improving industrial connectivity, strengthening links to ports and airports, easing congestion in Chennai, and supporting the growth of Tier-II cities, he said at the event.The total proposed investment, NHAI projects account for ₹84,891 crore, while schemes to be executed by the State Highways Department account for ₹52,105 crore, he said.Airport access has also been prioritised, with nine connectivity projects proposed. The Highways Department has identified eight corridors spanning 46 km at a cost of ₹1,682 crore, while NHAI has proposed one 18.5-km corridor costing ₹3,326 crore. The presentation noted that out of eight proposed road links, two have already been covered under spur road projects, he said. Master plans for Coimbatore, Madurai and Hosur have been approved, while Tuticorin is awaiting approval, he added.For the Chennai Metropolitan Area, covering about 5,904 sq km, the Highways Department has proposed 13 projects extending 164 km with an estimated investment of ₹2,947 crore. These would complement the spine, link, industrial, coastal and airport connectivity networks, he said.Published on August 3, 2026
