Vikravandi-Thanjavur NH's Sethiyathope-Cholapuram section nearly finished

The construction of the Sethiyathope-Cholapuram section of the Vikravandi-Thanjavur National Highway is almost finished. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced that this part of the highway will be completed by next month, April. This 50-kilometer stretch includes three bypasses, four major bridges, and 20 underpasses or flyovers. A new bridge over the Kollidam River at Anaikkarai is already open for public use. Parts of the highway are already in use as well. The project is important for the delta region and was approved in three phases. The first part, from Cholapuram to Kumbakonam to Thanjavur, opened to traffic earlier this year, and tolls started being collected in January. However, the final part of the highway, from Vikravandi to Sethiyathope, still needs work. This section's contract was canceled, and a new one will be awarded soon. It is expected to take about two years to complete once construction starts. Local residents are urging NHAI to speed up the project. V. Sathiyanarayanan from the All Traders Associations of Kumbakonam suggests building a two-lane road first, which can later be expanded. Another resident, A. Giri, emphasized the need for better road connections to Chennai, highlighting the importance of this infrastructure for the region.