Work on Sathyamangalam Bypass to Begin Soon: State Highways Department

The long-awaited Sathyamangalam bypass project in the Coimbatore district is set to take off soon, with the State Highways Department gearing up to begin work. Officials recently issued a 3(A) notification in the gazette, with newspaper publication expected this week. Following this, discussions with landowners will commence to acquire land for the ambitious 92-km four-lane road.

The project was originally planned under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which transferred it to the State Highways Department’s NH wing in 2022. The bypass will stretch up to Kakanallah on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border and will cross the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Given its location within a protected forest area, the road is expected to operate with restrictions on vehicle movement beyond evening hours.

The project has, however, sparked concerns among local communities. Residents of Annur claim that nearly 800 acres of land will be acquired, including fertile agricultural plots that benefit from the Athikadavu-Avinashi water scheme. From Kovilpalayam to Annur, the bypass will run through the panchayats of 12 villages in the Coimbatore district causing the fear of loss of land and income for the affected farmers.

Moreover, villagers say that other road expansion projects could be built to achieve the same goals while leaving farmlands undisturbed. They point to the planned widening of the Saravanampatti road in Coimbatore, funded by the Central government, as a viable option. Another route from Coimbatore to Bannari, which is nine kilometers shorter than the proposed bypass, could also be expanded to improve connectivity.

The project has already faced delays, with the earlier 3(A) notification issued by NHAI lapsing before the State Highways Department took over. Locals remain firm in their opposition, questioning the necessity of a toll-based road that may see limited usage due to its passage through the forest.

“We will continue to oppose this project as it threatens fertile farmland, imposes toll charges, and is unlikely to benefit many due to forest restrictions,” said Dhanapal, a concerned villager.

With land acquisition talks set to begin, the fate of the Sathyamangalam bypass remains a topic of heated debate.