The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated plans to upgrade the narrow Trichy-Karaikudi National Highway (NH 336 & 536) passing through Pudukottai district. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared to expand the two-lane, 81-km stretch into a four or six-lane highway, with provisions for bypasses to avoid major towns and villages along the route.
While NH 336 has four lanes within Trichy city, it narrows to two lanes beyond the city limits, affecting key institutions like Bharathidasan University, IIM Trichy, and Anna University. The highway is also a critical route for Pudukottai residents travelling to Trichy and for tourists visiting temples such as Karpaga Vinayakar in Pillaiyarpatti and Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram. The narrow stretch has led to prolonged travel times, frustrating commuters.The Lembalakudi toll plaza, built to handle 9,271 passenger car units (PCUs) daily, recorded 14,042 PCUs by March 2017, 50% over its design capacity. Traffic has since increased, particularly with Trichy International Airport situated on the highway, serving passengers travelling to the Middle East and Southeast Asia from Karaikudi, Sivaganga, and Pudukottai.
Recognizing the need for expansion, NHAI’s Karaikudi project implementation unit (PIU) has issued a tender to select an agency for the DPR. “The highway has already reached the threshold for four lanes. Considering future needs, six lanes are also being considered. The DPR will finalize the plan,” said an NHAI official. The agency will have one year to submit the report, which will also address land acquisition and propose new bypasses for major settlements along the route.
81-km stretch to be widened
Length: 81 km
Present width: 2 lanes
Proposed: 4 or 6 lanes
From: Trichy
Till: Karaikudi
Major towns connected: Thirumayam, Kanadukathan, Karaikudi
Trichy-Karaikudi NH:
Commissioned: March 2014
Design capacity: 9,271 PCU per day
Traffic handled: 14,042 PCU per day (2017)
