NHAI to prepare fresh DPR for Trichy-Karur NH, new northern bypass

Trichy: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has floated a fresh tender to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for a proposed four-lane greenfield highway connecting Trichy, Karur and Coimbatore, along with a new northern bypass for the city.The proposed projects, with a combined length of about 230km, aim to ease congestion and improve connectivity. The northern bypass is expected to cover the city's northern suburbs and include a high-level bridge across the Cauvery to decongest traffic. NHAI sources said the northern bypass would be distinct from the proposed Thuvakudi–Jeeyapuram semi-ring road, which caters to the western and southern parts of the city. "The northern bypass road is completely different from the proposed and ongoing Thuvakudi–Jeeyapuram semi-ring road project," an official source said. The bypass is likely to intersect the Trichy–Chennai national highway and link multiple national and state highways, including routes towards Namakkal and Chidambaram. Its exact alignment and lane configuration will be finalised as part of the DPR, which is being overseen by NHAI headquarters in New Delhi. The fresh study also revisits plans for a greenfield highway between Trichy and Karur, proposed as an alternative to the existing narrow and accident-prone stretch passing through Jeeyapuram and Kulithalai. Constraints such as the Cauvery on one side and railway tracks and settlements on the other have made widening difficult. "In 2019, a 70km greenfield highway between Trichy and Karur was planned, but it was never prioritised. At least, this DPR study should become a reality. We are witnessing fatal accidents on the Trichy–Karur highway every week," said P Aiyarappan, a road safety activist. As per the tender, NHAI will appoint a consultant to prepare the DPR, including identifying new alignments for both the greenfield highway and the northern bypass. NHAI to prepare new DPR Trichy-Karur-Coimbatore NH Trichy northern bypass road Total length: 230 km Trichy-Karur accident-prone highway: Vulnerable stretch: 37 km State highway: 11 km National highway: 26 km From: Kudamurutti bridge, Trichy city Till: Pettavaithalai, Trichy-Karur districts border MSID:: 129658576 413 |