The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun constructing 12 flyovers at accident-prone junctions in Thoothukudi district, including seven on the Thoothukudi–Madurai National Highway and five on the Thoothukudi–Tirunelveli National Highway. The Rs 2.5 billion project aims to improve road safety and reduce mishaps.
On the Thoothukudi–Madurai NH, flyovers are being built at Valayankulam, Vembur, Melakaranthai, Thappathy, Manjanayakkanpatti, Eppodumvendran, and Madathur junctions, along with service roads at Melakaranthai and Thaneerpanthal junction. On the Thoothukudi–Tirunelveli NH, works are under way at Collectorate, Korampallam, Mangalagiri, Murapanadu, and Vasavappapuram junctions.
All bridges include vehicular underpasses. A 30-metre-wide underpass is being built at Madathur and Collectorate junctions, while 20-metre-wide underpasses will feature at Valayankulam, Melakaranthai, Eppodumvendran, and Korampallam. Light vehicular underpasses, seven metres wide, are under construction at Vembur, Thappathy, Manjanayakkanpatti, Mangalagiri, Murapanadu, and Vasavappapuram.
NHAI Project Director Shivam Sharma confirmed that the sanctioned works cover 14 blackspots identified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) across the Madurai–Thoothukudi (NH-38) and Thoothukudi–Tirunelveli (NH-138) stretches. Blackspots are 500-metre stretches with either five accidents causing fatalities or serious injuries, or ten fatalities within three years.
The project is targeted for completion by September 2026. Additional proposals are under consideration, with a second phase covering Kurukkusalai, Vagaikulam, Ettayapuram, Keela Eral, Duraisamypuram, and Sinthalakarai, followed by a third phase at Vallanadu and Deivaseyalpuram.
