National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has floated fresh tender for detailed project report (DPR) for proposed four-lane greenfield highway connecting Trichy, Karur and Coimbatore. Combined length of proposed projects approximately 230km. Northern bypass expected to cover city's northern suburbs and include high-level bridge across Cauvery to decongest traffic. Northern bypass distinct from proposed Thuvakudi–Jeeyapuram semi-ring road, which caters to western and southern parts of city. Projects aim to ease congestion and improve connectivity.

The NHAI is set to take over control and maintenance of two national highways currently overseen by the NH wing of the State Highways Department in Coimbatore. Failure to hand over within 15 days will result in suspension of maintenance funds within 30 days.

Highways identified:

• Trichy Road (NH 81): 115 km long, connects Coimbatore with Karur
• Sathyamangalam Road (NH 948): 120 km long, extends toward Mysore and Bengaluru

State Highways Department currently maintains four major stretches in the district: Trichy Road, Mettupalayam Road, Sathyamangalam Road and Pollachi Road.

Under revised arrangement: NHAI will manage roads above four-lane classification; State Highways Department will continue managing four-lane and smaller roads.

K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, welcomed the move, citing inconsistencies in national highway works and poor quality under State Department control (examples: Periyanayakkanpalayam flyover, Saibaba Colony flyover). He noted union funds released by Road Transport and Highways Ministry were controlled by State Department for implementation.

Current transfers are first phase only. Mettupalayam Road and Avinashi Road may be taken over by NHAI in next phase.

Expected outcomes: improved maintenance quality and faster project execution.

Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation's underground drainage (UGD) project in Ondipudur, launched February 24 by Chief Minister MK Stalin at Rs 185 crore, nears completion. Project covers 141.945 km of collection pipelines with 30,128 house connections across 13 wards in North, East and Central zones: wards 13, 18, 19, 25, 27, 28, 29 (North); 24, 55, 56, 57, 58 (East); 48 (Central). Covers areas including Ganapathy, Gandhimaa Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, Thanneerpandal, SIHS Colony, Ondipudur. Work split into two phases; work order issued February 21, 2024. Administrative sanction revised to Rs 185 crore November 8, 2023. Technical sanction issued August 18, 2023; tenders floated October 13, 2023. Massive pipeline installation required extensive excavation along Trichy Road (NH 181), damaging road surface. Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran confirmed all major works completed except one chamber on Trichy Road. CCMC will restore road to highway standards after chamber work completion. Project includes 17 integration points linking with old connections.

• Shopkeepers, building owners and commercial establishments are using public roads and pathways for parking, erecting barricades and fences, and reserving areas for customers. Residents report arguments with security personnel and say complaints have brought little visible enforcement; they seek fines, trade-licence cancellations and premises sealing.
• A footpath on Netaji Road near GKNM Hospital and Mani Higher Secondary School is completely barricaded, forcing pedestrians onto the busy road. Complaints also concern DB Road, East Arokiasamy Road, TV Samy Road and stretches in RS Puram, Gandhipuram and Saibaba Colony.
• Automobile showrooms near the Trichy Road flyover service road allegedly use public road sections for test-ride and customer vehicle parking.
• A Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation town-planning official said an enforcement drive is planned on Cross Cut Road in Gandhipuram, followed by other parts of the city. The corporation plans to remove encroachments, retrieve public property and impose fines; the commissioner will decide on sealing premises and suspending trade licences.

Roads dug up for Coimbatore’s 24x7 water supply project have become slushy and uneven after rain, with potholes and loose surfaces making travel difficult and unsafe. Suez Projects Limited is executing the project for the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) across 60 wards. Excavation affected Avinashi Road, Trichy Road and Sathy Road; some stretches have been temporarily restored, while others remain damaged.

CCMC Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja said ₹50 lakh has been earmarked for patchwork in each of the five zones, and work orders have been issued for two zones. The corporation has released around ₹40 crore to the state highways department for highway repairs. The full 13-km stretch of Avinashi Road dug up for the water project is to be restored. The highways department will invite tenders on October 7 and begin work soon.