Schematic map of National Highways in India

National Highway 36 (NH 36) is a National Highway in India that starts at Vikravandi and ends at Manamadurai. This highway runs entirely in the state of Tamil Nadu.[1] It has a total length of 334 km.

The highway runs through Panruti, Vadalur Anaikkarai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Thiruppathur and Sivagangai.

Expansion

National Highway 36 (formerly NH 45C), the 164 km long Vikravandi - Kumbakonam - Thanjavur route, has been proposed to be upgraded to a four-laning road. Initially, the project was planned to be constructed as a four-lane road from Vikravandi to Meensurutti, and then as a 'two-lane road with paved shoulder' from Meensurutti to Thanjavur.[2][3]

This project was implementing as three phase.[4][5][6]


Si.No Project Length (K.m)
1 Thanjavur - Cholapuram[7] 47.87
2 Cholapuram - Sethiathoppu[8] 50.49
3 Sethiathoppu - vikravandi[9] 65.96

On 06 April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the Thanjavur-Cholapuram four-laning highway, a part of National Highway 36.[10][11]

Advantage

  • The delta region, which includes Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur districts, is benefiting from the expansion of National Highway 36.
  • Due to this expansion, the travel time between Kumbakonam - Thanjavur will be reduced from 75-90 minutes to 30 minutes, and it is expected that Kumbakonam - Trichy can be reached in 90 minutes.[12]
  • A bypass road has been constructed to avoid the demolition of the large number of residential structures located in the Panruti & Vadalur areas. The existing single-lane Kannithoppu Highway Bridge in Vadalur is being replaced with a new four-lane bridge, thus resolving the long-standing traffic problem over the weak bridge. This road will improve the transportation of agricultural products from the local area to nearby marketing centers.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). New Delhi: Department of Road Transport and Highways. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "The List of National Highways in the Country" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "New alignment of NH-45C on Vikravandi-Kumbakonam-Thanjavur Section". www.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "Centre to give Rs 1 lakh crore more to TN for road projects: Nitin Gadkari | Trichy News - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "#NHAI to open the 1st section of #Vikravandi - #Thanjavur National Highway project for traffic from 20-Jan". x.com.
  6. ↑ "Four Laning of Sethiyahopu - Cholapuram from km 65.960 to km 116.440 section of NH-45C in the state of Tamilnadu under NHDP Phase-IV on Hybrid Annuity Mode. (The Project)". www.patelinfra.com.
  7. ↑ "4L of Cholapuram - Thanjavur section from km 116.4 to km 164.275 of Old NH-45C in Thanjavur , Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu): Project Updates & Investment Details | IIG". indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "4L of Sethiyathope -Cholapuram section from Km. 65.960 to Km. 116.440 section of NH45 C [Pkg-II] in Ariyalur , Cuddalore , Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu): Project Updates & Investment Details | IIG". indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  9. ↑ "Balance works for Four laning of Vikravandi - Sethiyathope section from Km 0.000 to Km 65.960 of NH-45C in Tamilnadu under NHDP Phase-IV on EPC mode in Villupuram , Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu): Project Updates & Investment Details | IIG". indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "On the occasion of Ram Navami, PM to visit Tamil Nadu and inaugurate New Pamban Rail Bridge connecting Rameswaram to the mainland". www.pib.gov.in.
  11. ↑ "ராம நவமி நாளில் பிரதமர் தமிழ்நாட்டிற்கு வருகை தந்து, ராமேஸ்வரத்தை பிரதான நிலப்பகுதியுடன் இணைக்கும் புதிய பாம்பன் ரயில் பாலத்தைத் திறந்து வைக்கிறார்" [PM visits Tamil Nadu on Rama Navami and inaugurates new Pamban railway bridge connecting Rameswaram to mainland]. www.pib.gov.in (in Tamil).
  12. ↑ "Thanjavur-Kumbakonam-Cholapuram NH section beckons travellers with smooth ride - The Hindu". www.thehindu.com. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Balance works for Four laning of Vikravandi - Sethiyathope section from Km 0.000 to Km 65.960 of NH-45C in Tamilnadu under NHDP Phase-IV on EPC mode in Villupuram , Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu): Project Updates & Investment Details | IIG". indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in. Retrieved 6 July 2025.


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Highway_36_(India)