Four laning of Tiruchirapalli-Madurai NH likely to be delayed

Tiruchirapalli, May 21 (UNI) Work on the much-awaited four-laning of Tiruchirapalli-Viralimalai-Madurai section of the national highway 45B to a stretch of 124.84 km which was be completed by next year, was likely to be delayed for another one or two years for various reasons.

The Rs 419.96 crore project, which began in February last year was scheduled to be completed in 30 months, by August 2008. The project was awarded in two tender packages, namely Tiruchirapalli by-pass road to Thuvarangkurichi and Thuvarangkurichi to Madurai to M/s Agarwal-JMC joint venture group. The works should have been completed atleast 50 per cent from the date of commencement of the work till date. But the progress rate was just 25 per cent and in some places it was less than 20 per cent.

The four laning of the highway, taken up by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would reduce travel time on Tiruchirapalli-Madurai sector by an hour.

Work is currently going on to clear the ground on either side of the road, while construction of big and small bridges, fly-overs is also in progress.

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