Final Phase of Rs 1.98 Billion Highway Project Begins Soon

09 Sep 2025 CW Team

Progress So Far

The first phase, covering 4.8 km, was completed during 2023–24 at a cost of Rs 440 million. The second phase, comprising 6 km up to Vallathirakottai, was completed in 2024–25 for Rs 390 million.

The final stretch of 19 km will be executed at a cost of Rs 1.15 billion, with tendering already underway. A senior official confirmed that land acquisition is not required, and the work is expected to begin next month, with a targeted completion period of 10 months.

As part of the infrastructure upgrade, 32 culverts have already been constructed, and 31 more are planned in the final phase to improve drainage and road longevity.

Environmental Approvals and Replantation

Tree removal has been a key aspect of the project’s environmental management. In the earlier phases, the department removed 490 trees after receiving clearance from the District Green Committee. For the final phase, the department is seeking approval to remove approximately 340 additional trees. A joint inspection was recently conducted by officials from the Highways and Forest Departments, alongside NGO representatives, as part of the clearance process.

In line with environmental guidelines, the department has committed to replantation ratios of 1:10 and 1:20 for trees removed and those to be removed, respectively. So far, it has planted 1,350 saplings of indigenous species such as tamarind, naanal, vembu, and pungai along the highway. Additionally, ‘arali’ and neem saplings have been planted on an 11-km median stretch.

Broader Replantation Efforts

Beyond the Pudukottai–Aranthangi route, sapling plantation has also been carried out on the Alangudi–Karambakudi Major District Road, the Alangudi–Kurumbur State Highway, and the Alangudi–Arimalam Major District Road. These efforts reflect the department’s broader commitment to eco-sensitive road infrastructure development in the region.

The State Highways Department is set to commence the final phase of the Pudukottai–Aranthangi Highway widening project, upgrading the corridor to a four-lane road. The entire project, undertaken under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme, involves an investment of Rs 1.98 billion, split across three phases.Progress So FarThe first phase, covering 4.8 km, was completed during 2023–24 at a cost of Rs 440 million. The second phase, comprising 6 km up to Vallathirakottai, was completed in 2024–25 for Rs 390 million.The final stretch of 19 km will be executed at a cost of Rs 1.15 billion, with tendering already underway. A senior official confirmed that land acquisition is not required, and the work is expected to begin next month, with a targeted completion period of 10 months.As part of the infrastructure upgrade, 32 culverts have already been constructed, and 31 more are planned in the final phase to improve drainage and road longevity.Environmental Approvals and ReplantationTree removal has been a key aspect of the project’s environmental management. In the earlier phases, the department removed 490 trees after receiving clearance from the District Green Committee. For the final phase, the department is seeking approval to remove approximately 340 additional trees. A joint inspection was recently conducted by officials from the Highways and Forest Departments, alongside NGO representatives, as part of the clearance process.In line with environmental guidelines, the department has committed to replantation ratios of 1:10 and 1:20 for trees removed and those to be removed, respectively. So far, it has planted 1,350 saplings of indigenous species such as tamarind, naanal, vembu, and pungai along the highway. Additionally, ‘arali’ and neem saplings have been planted on an 11-km median stretch.Broader Replantation EffortsBeyond the Pudukottai–Aranthangi route, sapling plantation has also been carried out on the Alangudi–Karambakudi Major District Road, the Alangudi–Kurumbur State Highway, and the Alangudi–Arimalam Major District Road. These efforts reflect the department’s broader commitment to eco-sensitive road infrastructure development in the region.

Infrastructure Urban

07 Nov 2025

Welspun Enterprises Wins 910 MLD Panjrapur WTP Contract

Welspun Enterprises (WEL), the infrastructure and energy arm of Welspun World, has secured a major contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to design, build and operate a 910 million litres per day (MLD) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Panjrapur, Maharashtra.Valued at approximately Rs 31.45 billion, the project encompasses end-to-end civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation works, including the construction of a treated water sump and pumping station. Of the total value, nearly Rs 11.56 billion is allocated to Operations & Maintenance (O&M), with an additional..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Nov 2025

Mitsubishi Power Wins Boiler Upgrade Contract for O Mon 1 Plant

Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, (MHI), has been awarded a contract to support the oil-to-natural-gas fuel conversion at the O Mon 1 Thermal Power Plant in Can Tho, southern Vietnam. As the OEM of the plant’s existing boiler, Mitsubishi Power will supply key equipment—including new gas burners—and implement a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce NOx emissions and help the plant meet stricter environmental standards.The O Mon 1 facility includes two 330 MW units that commenced operations in 2009 and 2015, with all major equipment or..

Equipment

07 Nov 2025

Liebherr’s 10,000th XPower Wheel Loader Joins BERGER’s Fleet

BERGER Rohstoffe GmbH has welcomed the 10,000th Liebherr XPower wheel loader to its operations at the Schlag granite quarry in Passau. The milestone machine, officially handed over at Liebherr’s Bischofshofen plant in May 2025, underscores the long-standing partnership between BERGER, Liebherr, and the Beutlhauser Group. Equipped with Liebherr’s signature power-split travel drive, the new L 580 XPower is already delivering strong results under demanding quarry conditions.At the Schlag quarry, BERGER Rohstoffe processes approximately 200,000 tonnes of Bayerwald granite annually into high-qu..