Tender floated for appointment of consultant for road project in Puducherry

In a fast-paced administrative move, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has initiated steps to appoint a consultant for the construction of a new four-lane elevated corridor and widening of existing road along Puducherry-Cuddalore stretch after the Union Government announced the new infrastructure project for the Union Territory a month ago. 

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari, during his visit to Puducherry on October 13, 2025 for laying the foundation for the grade separator connecting Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi squares, had expressed the Ministry’s willingness to fund a new road project, which includes a partly-elevated stretch, to ease traffic congestion along Puducherry-Cuddalore road. The Union Minister had asked the territorial administration to forward a proposal on the road project for the Ministry’s consideration.

Following the announcement made by the Minister, MoRTH on November 26, had floated the tender to select a consultant for preparation of a Detailed Project Report for construction of a four-lane elevated corridor from Natesan Nagar Road Over Bridge to Ariankuppam Bridge and also for the four-laning of the existing road from Ariankuppam Bridge to Mullodai bordering the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.  

Bypass in Karaikal, Yanam

“The Ministry has given fast clearance and agreed to incur the entire expenditure which runs to around ₹650 crore for the 16-km road project. Along with the grade separator at Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi squares and the new road project, the Ministry has also agreed to fund the construction of bypasses in Karaikal and Yanam regions. The four projects will cost the Ministry around ₹1,300 crore. The road project along the Cuddalore stretch has been a long-pending demand of the people,” Minister for Public Works K. Lakshminarayanan told The Hindu.

According to a traffic police personnel, the new road project planned along the Cuddalore stretch will be of much significance in terms of traffic management and accident prevention. The junction near Lenovo factory at Thavalakuppam to Mullodai border has become one of the most accident-prone areas in Puducherry. 

28 lives lost

An analysis of accidents in Puducherry conducted by the traffic police in 2023 revealed that around 28 persons lost their lives in accidents along a 9-km stretch on Puducherry- Cuddalore Road. “The widening of the road is a very important decision as one of the reasons cited by many for the rise in number of accidents was the poor road infrastructure of the Cuddalore Road. The stretch is very narrow considering the traffic volume,” said the officer. 

Meanwhile, government sources said the Ministry was planning to start construction work for the grade separator during the end of January or early February next year. “After the completion of the grade separator and four laning of the Cuddalore stretch, movement of vehicles in the town and outskirts will become faster. Management of traffic near Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi squares will also become easy,” said a traffic police personnel.