Trichy: The change of government in Tamil Nadu has cast uncertainty over several key road infrastructure projects in Trichy. While two of the five major road projects proposed by the previous administration are progressing, three major projects—including two eagerly awaited elevated roads—now depend on the political will of the new TVK government to decongest vehicular traffic in the city.
Ongoing Projects
The IBT link project, undertaken by the Trichy Corporation in three phases to provide direct connectivity to the Panjapur integrated bus terminus by interlinking key city nodes, is partially under implementation. Phases I and II are progressing, but Phase III—the most complex—has yet to receive administrative sanction from the government. The Rs 331 crore project awaits land acquisition, and any delay could increase costs due to rising construction material prices. Sources indicate that around Rs 75 crore has been released so far. The new set of bureaucrats and elected representatives must be convinced of the link road's significance to secure remaining funds. The civic body opted for funding from the 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, the state highways department said construction work at Rs 106 crore is progressing according to plan, with completion expected by the end of 2026. However, water discharge in the river for irrigating crops in Cauvery delta districts from June will pose a challenge.
Proposed Projects
The 2.6 km flyover connecting Odathurai near Cauvery bridge with Mallachipuram on the Trichy-Karur NH near Kudamurutti bridge, proposed in 2021 by the then DMK government, 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 from the state highways department said. Similarly, the 2.7 km HPO signal-Puthur elevated road project passing through Cantonment and Puthur, also proposed by the DMK government, will be at the mercy of the new government. "The HPO-Puthur flyover project involves private land acquisition, increasing the total project cost," the official added. The state highways department has also completed the 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 government is likely to decide on funding for the project to decongest the northern parts of the city and suburbs.
