National Highway 744 (India) Explained

Country:

IND

Type:

NH

Route:

744

Map Custom:

yes

Spur Type:

NH

Spur Of:

44

History:

Announced as 'NH-208' in 2000

Maint:

NHAI

Length Km:

206

Direction A:

West

Terminus A:

in Kollam, KL

Junction:

| direction_b = East| terminus_b = in Tirumangalam, TN| states = Kerala, Tamil Nadu| destinations = | previous_type = NH| previous_route = 544H | next_type = NH| next_route = 744A }}

National Highway 744 or NH 744 (earlier NH 208)^[1] is a National Highway in Southern India that links Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala with Madurai in Tamil Nadu.^[2] Starting from NH 66 at Chinnakkada in Kollam, it joins Tirumangalam in Madurai at National Highway 44 (India).

Route description

This route has historically connected the cashew and spice producing Kollam District with the erstwhile Madras State. Nowadays, hordes of lorries carrying various goods from Tamil Nadu ply through this highway. The road cuts through the narrow low altitude gap at Aryankavu, and is a visual delight, especially the stretch from Thenmala to Sengottai. The historic Kollam-Sengottai Railway line goes by the side of the road.^[3]

Chinnakada → Kallumthazham →Keralapuram → Kundara → Ezhukone → Kottarakkara → Melila → Kunnicode → Vilakkudy → Punalur → Edamon → Thenmala → Kazhuthurutty → Aryankavu → Shenkottai → Ilanji → Tenkasi → Kadayanallur → Puliangudi → Vasudevanallur → Sivagiri → Seithur → Rajapalayam → Srivilliputtur → Alagapuri → T. Kallupatti → Tirumangalam^[4]

Future

As per news reports^[5] and NHAI^[6] tender & project data, it has been confirmed that the section of NH 744 between Tirumangalam (on NH 44) and Rajapalayam is being taken up to be converted into a tolled, four lane highway for a total distance of 68 km.

Major intersections

scope=col	State	scope=col	District	scope=col	Location	scope=col	km	scope=col	mi	scope=col	Destinations	scope=col	Notes
Tamil Nadu	Madurai	Tirumangalam	km= 0km (00miles)	- Madurai, Kanyakumari	Eastern end of the highway.
	Virudhunagar	Alagapuri	km= 32km (20miles)	- Virudhunagar
		Srivilliputhur	km= 86km (53miles)	- Sivakasi
	Tenkasi	Puliyankudi	km= 136km (85miles)	- Sankarankoil
		Thenkasi	km= 167km (104miles)	- Pavoorchatram, Courtallam
		Sengottai	km= 173km (107miles)	- Courtallam
Kerala	Kollam	Thenmala	km= 202km (126miles)	- Thiruvananthapuram
		Punalur	km= 223km (139miles)	- Anchal, Ayoor, Pathanapuram
		Kottarakkara	km= 241km (150miles)	- Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Angamaly
		Kollam	km= 264km (164miles)	- Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Ernakulam	Western end of the highway. Kollam bypass.
NH-744 at Kadappakada, Kollam CityFile:13Arch Bridge View 1.jpg	13 Ring Bridge near the side of NH 744, ThenmalaFile:A sign board in NH 208.jpg	A sign board in NH 744 See also List of National Highways in India (by Highway Number) List of National Highways in India National Highways Development Project References

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kerala PWD - National Highways . www.keralapwd.gov.in . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903083820/http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/getPage.php?page=NH%20in%20Kerala&pageId=301-title=National . 2014-09-03.
2. http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/NH_StartEnding_Station8634854396.htm Details of National Highways in India
3. Web site: Government sanctions INR 3440 Cr for projects in Kerala. Devdiscourse. 9 August 2018. 10 August 2018.
4. https://maps.google.com Google maps
5. Web site: Maalaimalar News: திருமங்கலம்-ராஜபாளையம் வரை 68 கிலோ மீட்டர் தூரத்திற்கு 4 வழிசாலையாக மாற்றம்: பொன்.ராதாகிருஷ்ணன் Tirumangalam Rajapalayam 68 km to the modification 4 path road ponradhakrishnan. www.maalaimalar.com. 2016-12-03. 20 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220032506/http://www.maalaimalar.com/News/TopNews/2016/08/21163949/1033823/Tirumangalam-Rajapalayam-68-km-to-the-modification.vpf. dead.
6. Web site: Project Reporter Four Laning of Thirumangalam to Rajapalayam Section. 2016-12-03. 20 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220054246/http://projectreporter.co.in/prcontentdetail.aspx?Id=3255. dead.