Call To Fast-Track 81-km Coimbatore Eastern Bypass Project

14 May 2025 CW Team

The proposed 81-km Coimbatore Eastern Bypass—stretching from Narasimhanaickenpalayam to Kaniyur and onwards to Madukkarai—aims to connect all six major National Highways in Coimbatore: Mettupalayam Road (NH 181), Sathyamangalam Road (NH 948), Avinashi Road (NH 544), Trichy Road (NH 81), Pollachi Road (NH 83), and Palakkad Road (NH 544). Similar to the Western Bypass, the project is expected to offer an alternative route for vehicles heading to and from Kerala, significantly easing urban congestion.

Initially announced in 2016 during the AIADMK government, the project was to be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) alongside the Coimbatore-Karur Expressway. A feasibility study conducted in 2018 estimated the project cost at approximately Rs 7.5 billion. However, the project has since seen little progress.

Highlighting the urgency of the bypass, CODISSIA President Karthikeyan recently appealed to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for immediate intervention. In his letter, Karthikeyan noted that the Eastern Bypass was a critical infrastructure initiative long pending with the NHAI.

"Coimbatore, as Tamil Nadu’s second largest city, is traversed by six National Highways, leading to significant traffic congestion,” he wrote. “The Chengapalli to Salem stretch on NH 544 experiences heavy vehicular movement daily, particularly from trucks and buses heading to Kerala. We urge the government to upgrade this 95-km segment into a six-lane expressway without requiring additional land acquisition.”

He further expressed concern that while the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has rapidly advanced infrastructure works across India, development in Western Tamil Nadu—despite its high urbanisation and industrial presence—has lagged behind.

The industry body has requested the Centre’s immediate attention to expedite key expressway and highway developments essential for the region’s economic growth and mobility.

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

MMRDA Installs 325-Tonne Steel Spans on Mumbai Metro Line 4

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has achieved a key construction milestone on Metro Line 4 with the successful installation of three large steel spans at Bhandup West during overnight operations.The spans, together weighing 325 metric tonnes, were launched using eight heavy-duty cranes and 12 multi-axle vehicles. The operation required precise engineering and meticulous planning to minimise disruption in the densely populated suburban area.Due to effective inter-agency coordination, the work—originally scheduled across four nights—was completed within just two n..

CMRL Targets March 2027 Opening for Vadapalani–Panagal Park

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is progressing as scheduled to open the Vadapalani–Panagal Park section of Phase II’s Corridor 4 by March 2027. The 3.5 km underground stretch is part of the 26.1 km Corridor 4 connecting Lighthouse with Poonamallee Bypass.Construction activities are advancing steadily, with tunnelling works between Vadapalani and Panagal Park already completed. Track-laying operations are expected to commence shortly. At Panagal Park station, structural works have reached the concourse and platform levels, while excavation continues at the lowest level.CMRL is also consid..

Maha-Metro Invites Pune Metro Civil Maintenance Bids

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has invited bids for the annual civil maintenance contract of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The tender, bearing ID and number P1-O&M-20/2025, is scheduled to close on 23 February 2026, with a pre-bid meeting slated for 10 February 2026. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the contract is Rs 3,50,500, and the duration of the contract is one year.The scope of work includes annual civil maintenance of 28 elevated and underground stations, 28.079 km of elevated viaduct including steel bridges, 12.15 km of tunnels, and two depots under the ..