Neelambur Bypass Set for NHAI Takeover, Toll Collection from June 2025

One of the oldest BOT road projects in the country, the Neelambur-Madukkarai bypass in Coimbatore, will soon be handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The 28-km stretch, built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in 1999 at a cost of ₹104.4 crore, has been acting as a key route for 20 years. NHAI will start toll collection from June 1, 2025, after the formal handover of the road by L&T, a senior official said.

This stretch, which links two six-lane highways, is one of Coimbatore’s busiest roads and is at high risk for accidents. City industrialists have long pushed for its expansion to ease congestion and improve safety. However the existing BOT concession period extends until 2029, preempting any major upgrades.

NHAI is expected to split the six toll plazas into one said K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause. The State Highways Department has also already made elaborate plans to widen the road and NHAI would shortly take up expansion of it.

Welcoming the announcement, Rajesh Lund, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, said there was an immediate need to expand the road. “This is nothing but good news for Coimbatore but the NHAI has to immediately upgrade the road to a four-lane or six-lane highway,” he said. The Chamber had recently written to the chairman of L&T, highlighting the high accident rate of the bypass and the urgent need to widen it.

With NHAI now at the reins, there are optimistic assessments that infrastructure upgrades in the near term could make this critical route safer, and faster, as well.