Gridlock for Coimbatore: Dual Bypass Projects Stall Amid Administrative Shifts
The Western and Eastern bypass initiatives remain stalled despite years of industry demand. Local advocacy groups are now calling for immediate state intervention to resolve land and funding hurdles.
Bureaucratic Deadlock Halts Strategic Connectivity
Two essential road infrastructure projects in Coimbatore have stalled, leaving local trade and industry stakeholders in a state of uncertainty. Despite being identified as vital for the region's economic growth, the Eastern and Western bypass initiatives currently exist largely as unfinished plans or paperwork. The delay persist even as the city's traffic congestion intensifies.
The Eastern Bypass: A Abandoned NHAI Mandate
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) originally conceived the Eastern bypass as an extension of the Karur-Coimbatore road. However, these plans collapsed after the NHAI designated the route as a toll-based project, sparking significant local opposition. Following this rejection, the project was reportedly handed over to the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority, an entity established under the previous DMK administration. Current reports indicate a total lack of clarity regarding the project's present status or timeline.
Fragmented Progress on the Western Bypass
In contrast to the Eastern project, the Western bypass has seen tangible, though incomplete, momentum. While authorities finished the first phase, the remaining segments were transferred to the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority for completion. Real estate hurdles are currently being cleared to move the project forward:
- Land acquisition for the second phase is nearing completion.
- Responsibility for the remaining work sits with the State Highways Department.
- Local advocates demand the immediate formal transfer of all phases to the Highways Department to ensure continuity.
Industry Demands Urgent Action
K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, highlighted that the state government must prioritize the Eastern bypass to address regional logistics needs. According to Kathirmathiyon, the government should take control of both projects to prevent further stagnation. Both corridors are identified as high-priority routes required to alleviate heavy vehicle pressure on the city's internal road network. Stakeholders argue that with land acquisition for the Western bypass nearly finished, there is no justification for further delays in construction.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
