NHAI Plans to Upgrade Key Highways in Tamil Nadu to Ease Traffic Congestion

The National Highways Authority of India has now proposed improving the capacity of at least eight major roadways by reducing congestion on major highways in Tamil Nadu through several measures such as bypasses and grade separators besides four-lane upgradation along the major districts in Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, and Cuddalore.

Apart from major highways, the NHAI has floated tenders for the selection consultancy to prepare DPRs on capacity enhancement projects on NH-181, NH-81, NH-532, NH-85, and NH-136.

NH-181 is the longest highway on the list. NH-181 is a road that connects Coimbatore of Karnataka’s Gundlupet through Karamadai, Mettupalayam, Ooty, and Gudalur. The plan includes four new bypasses and a road over the bridge. A 12-km combined bypass will be constructed around Karamadai and Mettupalayam, while additional bypasses will be built in Coonoor (5 km), Ooty (27 km), and Gudalur (8 km). A road over the bridge near Burliar will replace the existing railway level crossing.

NH-81, which connects Coimbatore and Chidambaram, will also have bypasses at Palladam (14 km), Vellakovil (9 km), and Kangayam (13 km). There is also a 16-km bypass proposed for Tiruppur on NH-381.

NHAI is working on a detailed project report for the four-laning 65 km stretch on NH-136 from Thanjavur to Perambalur-Attur Road. The railway level crossings LC-300A and LC-131 will be replaced by two road-over bridges.

NH-532 connecting Chinnasalem and Cuddalore will also be improved upon with two-lane flyovers at Kurinjipadi, Virudhachalam, and Vadalur.

NHAI sources have said that the State Highway Department’s NH wing will execute the projects once DPRs are finalized and approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The upgrades will reduce travel time and improve road safety for commuters.