NHAI reviews project report for ₹27,000-crore NH 744 corridor

The Detailed Project Report for the Kadambattukonam–Edamon section of the NH 744 Greenfield Highway has been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India for consideration, MP N.K. Premachandran said. The wider infrastructure initiative is valued at ₹27,000 crore.

NH 744 will connect Kadambattukonam with Madurai over 201 kilometres. The 71-kilometre Madurai–Rajapalayam section has been completed, while other sections remain unfinished. The outstanding stretches are Rajapalayam–Tenkasi, covering 68 kilometres; Tenkasi–Edamon, covering 23 kilometres; and Edamon–Kadambattukonam, covering 39 kilometres.

The submitted report relates to the execution of these remaining phases. Mr. Premachandran said the Tenkasi–Edamon section would pass through forested mountain ranges in the Western Ghats that form part of a wildlife sanctuary.

He said special clearance from the Supreme Court was mandatory and that a petition seeking approval had been filed and was under review. Steps have also begun to secure clearance from the State Wildlife Board, according to the MP. The project plan includes four tunnels—three large tunnels and one small tunnel—on the relevant section.

After any required Supreme Court approval, the proposal will be considered by the Public Private Partnership appraisal committee. The committee is headed by the Expenditure Secretary and includes five Union government secretaries. If the committee clears the proposal, it will be sent to the Union Cabinet for approval.

Mr. Premachandran said NHAI officials had assured him that, after Cabinet approval, compensation to landowners would be expedited and remaining land acquisition would proceed. He said officials had been asked to accelerate administrative procedures so compensation could be paid and construction could begin.

The source did not provide a projected construction start date or completion schedule for the remaining sections.