Trichy’s key infra projects await Vijay’s push

Trichy: With a change of guard in the state, continuity of several key road infrastructure projects in Trichy has come under the lens. While two of the five major road projects proposed by the previous govt are progressing, three major projects, including two eagerly awaited elevated roads, are dependent on the new TVK govt's political will for decongesting vehicular traffic in the city.Ongoing ProjectsIBT link project, taken up by Trichy corporation in three phases to provide direct connectivity to Panjapur integrated bus terminus by interlinking the city's key nodes, is partially being implemented. With phases I and II progressing, phase III, the most complex of all, is yet to get administrative sanction from the govt. The Rs331 crore project awaits land acquisition. Any delay may increase the project cost due to a rise in the cost of construction materials. Sources said that around Rs75 crore was so far released. The new set of bureaucrats and elected representatives have to be convinced about the link road's significance to obtain remaining funds. The civic body opted for funding from Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDCO). "Land requirement for the road has been reduced to 1.2 acres from 8 acres, and acquisition will commence soon. With two phases progressing, delaying the third phase may slow down the entire project's continuity," a senior corporation official told TOI. As for the new four-lane Cauvery bridge between Trichy mainland and Srirangam island, state highways department said construction work at Rs106 crore is progressing according to plan so as to complete it by end of 2026. However, water discharge in the river for irrigating crops in Cauvery delta districts from June will be a challenge to deal with.Proposed Projects The 2.6km flyover connecting Odathurai near Cauvery bridge with Mallachipuram on Trichy-Karur NH near Kudamurutti bridge, proposed in 2021 by the then DMK govt, is a key project to decongest Chathiram bus stand and Melachinthamani. "The land plan schedule (LPS) for the elevated road project is complete and will be reviewed to make further progress," an official with state highways department said. Similarly, the 2.7km HPO signal - Puthur elevated road project passing through Cantonment and Puthur, also proposed by the DMK govt, will be at the mercy of the new govt. "The HPO-Puthur flyover project involves private land acquisition, increasing the total project cost," the official added. The state highways department has also completed detailed project report (DPR) for the northern semi-ring road project between Asoor (Trichy-Thanjavur NH) and Mutharasanallur (Trichy-Karur NH) via Chidambaram, Chennai, Thuraiyur and Namakkal highways. The new govt is likely to take a call on funding for the project to decongest the northern parts of the city and suburbs.