Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday dedicated three major National Highway projects in Puducherry and laid foundation stones for several new ones, highlighting India’s progress in infrastructure and alternative fuels.He inaugurated the 38-km four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam stretch of NH-32 built at a cost of ₹1,588 crore and laid the foundation for a 4-km elevated corridor between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square worth ₹436 crore. He also launched improvement works for a 14-km stretch of the East Coast Road (NH-332A) with an investment of ₹25 crore.
Gadkari announced a ₹650-crore project for a 3-km elevated corridor from Natesan Nagar ROB to Marapalam Junction and a 13.5-km four-lane stretch from Ariyankuppam to Mullodai, with work set to begin in early 2026. He also revealed that bids have been invited for the ₹2,200-crore, 46-km Marakkanam–Puducherry section, to be awarded by December.
He said India’s automobile industry had grown from ₹14 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹22 lakh crore now, creating 4.5 crore jobs. Emphasizing sustainable practices, he noted that 18 lakh tonnes of municipal waste had been used in road construction and encouraged tractor makers to adopt flex-fuel and electric engines.
Gadkari added that India’s logistics cost had dropped from 16% to 10% and would reach 9% by December due to improved infrastructure.
Union Minister of State L. Murugan, Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, and senior officials were present at the event.