Detailed project report being prepared for six-laning of Salem-Chengapalli stretch of NH 544

Citing a sharp rise in vehicular traffic along the 102.5-km Salem-Chengapalli stretch of National Highway (NH) 544, as highlighted by Tiruppur MP K. Subbarayan, the Centre has initiated steps to widen the existing four-lane highway into a six-lane expressway. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project is currently under preparation.

Mr. Subbarayan has, over the past three years, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on several occasions in New Delhi and submitted representations urging early execution of the project.

In his petitions, the MP pointed out that the highway is a key corridor linking Salem, Namakkal, Erode, and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu with Palakkad, Thrissur, and Kochi in Kerala. While the 54-km Chengapalli-Coimbatore stretch has already been widened to six lanes, the remaining 102.5-km stretch up to Salem continues to operate as a four-lane road.

Nearly 30,000 vehicles ply the highway everyday, leading to frequent congestion, increased fuel consumption, and higher carbon emissions, the MP said, stressing that the expansion is vital not only for infrastructure development but also to ease hardships faced by road users and the public.

In a recent communication to the MP, Mr. Gadkari stated that the DPR is under preparation and further action will be taken based on the outcome of the study. On other demands raised, the Minister said service roads connecting junctions with nearby vehicular underpasses (VUPs) and a flyover at Pethampalayam and Vijayamangalam have already been approved, with works in progress. Regarding proposed VUPs at Saralai Junction and Nasiyanur Junction, the Minister said bids will be invited during the current financial year under the Annual Road Safety Plan 2025-26.

The MP had also sought a flyover at Lakshmi Nagar near Bhavani to address recurring traffic congestion. The Minister informed that approval has been granted for the construction of a flyover on the left-hand side and that the bidding process is under way. The need for a flyover on the right-hand side will be examined and finalised based on the findings of the DPR study for the Salem-Chengapalli section, he added.