Tiruchirappalli IBT Link Road Project Completion Pushed to Early 2028 Amid Land Acquisition Delays

The Tiruchirappalli Corporation’s ambitious Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) Link Road project has been pushed back, with authorities now expecting the infrastructure project to be completed only by early 2028. The revised timeline comes after prolonged delays in land acquisition, statutory approvals and administrative clearances, affecting progress across all three phases of the project.

The road project has been designed to provide seamless connectivity between the Panjapur Integrated Bus Terminus and major national and state highways passing through Tiruchirappalli. Once completed, it is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve travel efficiency and strengthen the city’s transport infrastructure.

According to officials, Phase I of the project, connecting Panjapur and Karumandapam, has achieved around 35 percent completion. However, construction has slowed due to pending approval from Southern Railway for a Road over Bridge near E Pudur MGR Nagar.

Phase II, linking Woraiyur and Kudamurutti Checkpost, has recorded only about 15 percent progress as land acquisition remains incomplete. Meanwhile, Phase III, the largest and most complex stretch connecting Karumandapam and Woraiyur, is yet to receive administrative approval. This section includes five elevated structures and is considered critical for achieving the project’s full objective.

District Collector Pratik Tayal recently reviewed the ongoing works and inspected construction activities along the Koraiyar and Kudamurutti riverbanks. Officials stated that although the land requirement has been reduced from eight acres to nearly one acre, site access permissions and compensation-related issues continue to delay execution. Only around half of the affected landowners have accepted the compensation package so far.

Authorities remain optimistic that Phases I and II can be completed within a year once pending approvals are obtained. However, the overall project timeline will largely depend on the sanction and execution of Phase III.

Industry observers believe the IBT Link Road will become one of Tiruchirappalli’s most important urban infrastructure projects, improving connectivity between the Integrated Bus Terminus, major highways and key residential and commercial areas while supporting the city’s long-term transportation and economic growth.