₹21,000 crore DPR for NH 744 development submitted for final approval

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the comprehensive development of Kadambattukonam-Senkottai National Highway 744 with a massive estimated expenditure of ₹21,000 crore has been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for final approval after stringent technical checks, said NK Premachandran, MP, after a high-level discussion in New Delhi.

The ₹ 21,000 crore mega infrastructure project covers three key areas, two of which pass through Kerala. These include the second reach connecting Senkottai to Edamon and the third reach stretching from Edamon to Kadambattukonam, while the first reach from Rajapalayam to Senkottai is located in Tamil Nadu. “A minor part of the alignment passing through the second section required environmental clearance and the terms of reference (ToR) for the same have already been officially approved,” the MP said.

Estimated to cost ₹10,033 crore, the 23km Senkottai-Edamon stretch features a highly sophisticated layout designed to bypass steep grades and sharp, treacherous turns. In order to minimize the environmental and ecological impact on the surrounding forest floor, the route includes four main tunnels through rocky terrain, covering a combined distance of 10.5 km. In addition, the plan for this segment includes elevated highways built on twenty massive pillars.

The third reach, covering a distance of 39 km from Edaman to Kadambattukonam, has an estimated budget of ₹ 7,015 crore. Considering the unique characteristics of the soil and the topography of the terrain, the engineers planned 26 viaducts for this section. This strategic structural shift was decided after analyzing previous safety risks where heavy soil fill and earth retaining walls led to severe landslides. To guarantee long-term safety, elevated pillar structures will be built in all areas where soil quality is considered poor.

The engineering design of the project is currently set for a thorough review by the technical committee for the evaluation of the project. Once their technical recommendations are integrated, the final draft will be forwarded to the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC), a panel chaired by the Economic Affairs Minister and comprising the Ministers of Law, Expenditure, Road Transport and Highways along with the Director General of NITI Aayog. After receiving the final recommendation from PPPAC, the project will be submitted to the Union Government for final administrative sanction.

Published – 22 May 2026 18:40 IST