Western bypass project to be developed by Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority

The western bypass project in Coimbatore that is under development in phases will be transferred to the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority from the State Highways Department.

“The first phase of the project is nearing completion and is expected to be opened by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin soon. For the second and third phases, it will be handed over to the newly-formed State Highways Authority,” an official source told The Hindu.

The first phase of the 11.8 km four lane road from Mayilkal to Madampatti junction was developed at ₹250 crore and includes two vehicle underpasses and culverts.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said there are concerns over handing over a project that is under implementation to the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority (TANSHA) as there are also plans to bring toll plazas.

The 32.43 km-long Coimbatore Western Ring Road was originally proposed in 2007. It was planned to be implemented in three phases and only the first phase is almost over. For the second phase, 90% of the land acquisition is completed. A proposal was handed over recently to TANSHA for ‘deep feasibility study’. “We fail to understand the necessity for ‘study’ midway of the project. This unwarranted administrative change will delay the project,” he said.

The western bypass is a project long overdue. The State government has repeatedly advocated removal of toll plazas on National Highways within Tamil Nadu. In such circumstances, introducing toll on a State-funded bypass road reflects clear policy contradiction, he said.

The Chief Minister should intervene and immediately drop the proposal to hand over the project to TANSHA and permit the Highways Department to continue and complete all three phases of the project at the earliest, he said.