Tamil Nadu Highways Authority Likely to Take Over Coimbatore Bypass Project
Coimbatore’s much-delayed western bypass project could soon gain momentum as the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority (TNSHA) is expected to take charge from the highways department.
The ₹570-crore initiative, planned to ease traffic congestion in one of the state’s fastest-growing cities, stretches 32 kilometers and is divided into three phases.
The first phase — an 11.8-kilometer, four-lane stretch between Madukkarai and Madhampatti — is nearly finished. Built at a cost of ₹250 crore, it is slated to open for public use within the next two months.
For the remaining 21 kilometers, the state has allocated ₹320 crore for land acquisition. However, construction progress remains sluggish, with ongoing debates about whether the road should be tolled.
Consumer groups have strongly opposed any toll model, insisting that the bypass will serve as a vital city connector rather than a luxury highway. They warn that tolling could provoke public resistance and even legal disputes, further delaying the project. Similar concerns have been raised in discussions such as this one.
If TNSHA officially assumes control, officials believe the project could move forward more smoothly and be completed sooner, addressing the city’s mounting traffic woes. Urban planners argue that the bypass is essential for diverting heavy vehicles away from the city core, reducing congestion, and improving travel times.
With Coimbatore rapidly emerging as a key industrial and IT hub in western Tamil Nadu, timely completion of the bypass has become critical. For now, all eyes remain on the state government’s decision — both on the transfer of responsibility and on whether the road will remain toll-free.