Coimbatore Association Advocates for Six-Lane Upgrade of Nilambur Bypass

The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISIA) has called on the Central government to upgrade the Nilambur bypass from a two-lane road to a six-lane expressway. This initiative aims to improve road safety and traffic flow, particularly in a section that has been identified as accident-prone. CODISIA president M. Karthikeyan emphasized the economic significance of Coimbatore and the need for better infrastructure to connect key locations, including the new airport terminal and industrial areas. The association is urging swift action from the government to facilitate this essential upgrade, which would benefit both local residents and travelers from Kerala to major cities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2025, 19:31 IST

Call for Infrastructure Improvement

The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISIA) has formally appealed to the Central government to transform the current two-lane Nilambur bypass into a six-lane expressway, complete with service roads. They are also advocating for the construction of flyovers at key intersections to improve road safety and alleviate traffic congestion.

In a correspondence addressed to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, CODISIA president M. Karthikeyan highlighted Coimbatore's substantial contribution to Tamil Nadu's gross state domestic product, which reached Rs 2 lakh crore last year. He noted that the district is home to one of the nation’s pioneering BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) projects, a 27-km stretch connecting Nilambur to Madukarai, which serves as a vital route to Kerala.

Karthikeyan pointed out that while both ends of the bypass are designed as six-lane roads, the central 27 km section remains a two-lane road, making it prone to accidents and hazardous conditions.

With the project now transferred from L&T to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), CODISIA has urged the ministry to accelerate the upgrade process to a six-lane expressway.

He further emphasized that upon completion, this road will serve as a crucial link for Coimbatore, connecting various key locations such as the new airport terminal, container depot, railway goods shed, industrial zones, educational institutions, hospitals, IT parks, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and residential neighborhoods.

Karthikeyan reiterated the importance of expediting this project, stating that it would not only ease the daily commute for Coimbatore residents but also benefit travelers journeying from Kerala to major cities like Bengaluru and Chennai.