NHAI Plans Rs 1-Lakh-Crore Highway Push in Tamil Nadu, 2,500 km Projects in Pipeline

Tamil Nadu has unveiled an ambitious Vision 2035 roadmap to develop a 4,543.5 km road network at an estimated cost of Rs 1,36,996 crore, while the National Highways Authority of India has separately drawn up plans to invest more than Rs 1 lakh crore in expanding another 2,500 km of national highways across the state.

What was announced at the CII Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Summit?

The proposals were presented at the CII Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Summit 2026 on August 3, aimed at improving industrial connectivity, strengthening links to ports and airports, easing congestion in Chennai and supporting the growth of Tier-II cities. I Jeyakumar, Member Secretary and Special Officer at the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, said the Vision 2035 plan, jointly prepared by NHAI and the State Highways Department, comprises 144 corridors spanning 4,543.5 km. Of the total investment, NHAI projects account for Rs 84,891 crore, while the State Highways Department will execute projects worth Rs 52,105 crore.

What is the current status of NHAI’s ongoing projects in Tamil Nadu?

NHAI Regional Officer Virender Sambyal said the authority already has 855 km of national highway projects worth more than Rs 33,000 crore under construction in the state. Beyond this, another 2,500 km of highways requiring investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore are in the pipeline.

Which projects feature prominently in the pipeline?

Marquee projects include the Chennai-Trichy-Madurai greenfield access-controlled corridor, the Maduravoyal-Sriperumbudur elevated corridor, six-laning of the Chengalpattu-Tindivanam stretch of NH-32, four-laning of the Nagapattinam-Thoothukudi-Kanyakumari section of NH-32, improved connectivity to Cuddalore Port, and bypass projects in Coimbatore and other cities.

Why does port and industrial connectivity feature heavily in this plan?

The proposals place strong emphasis on strengthening highway links to Tamil Nadu’s major ports and airports, reflecting the state’s push to reduce logistics bottlenecks for its manufacturing and export-oriented industries, while also decongesting Chennai’s urban road network as economic activity continues to expand across Tier-II centres in the state.

What does this mean for Tamil Nadu’s broader infrastructure ambitions?

Combined, the state and central government investments amount to well over Rs 2.3 lakh crore in road infrastructure, positioning Tamil Nadu for a significant upgrade in industrial, port and urban connectivity over the coming decade as part of its long-term economic growth strategy.