The inordinate delay in finalising the detailed project report (DPR) for the semi ring road, which would connect major national highways around Tiruchi, has raised eyebrows among activists and city residents.

Once completed, the nearly 45-km bypass will become a part of a semi ring road from Thuvakudi to Thindukarai via Mathur and Panjapur, connecting the five national highways leading to Thanjavur, Karaikudi, Madurai, Dindigul, and Karur from the city.

Last year, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials had said that preparation of the DPR by the consultancy appointed for the purpose was in advanced stages and the agency would award the tender by the end of financial year 2025-26.

It was in 2024 that the NHAI decided to draw a combined DPR for building a four-lane bypass between Panjapur and Thindukarai on Tiruchi-Karur National Highway, along with the elevated corridor, and widening the two-lane bypass between Thuvakudi and Panjapur into a four-lane way.

Of these major components, the Panjapur-Thindukarai bypass had been delayed for years. Work on this stretch was initiated over 15 years ago as part of the widening of the Tiruchi-Karur section by the NHAI but was halted on a court direction against building the road across irrigation tanks. Subsequently, a new alignment was finalised, leading to delays in reviving the project. NHAI sources earlier said a few changes were likely to be made on the revised alignment too in the DPR under preparation.

The project is a much awaited infrastructure development in the city, especially by residents along the city suburbs on the accident-prone Tiruchi-Karur NH section as the Panjapur-Thindukkarai bypass would provide an alternative route, points out P. Ayyarappan, president, Road Users Welfare Association.

Besides, construction of an elevated corridor near the integrated bus terminus at Panjapur is one of the components of the project. The elevated corridor has become a crucial infrastructure requirement on the Tiruchi-Madurai NH section after the commissioning of the integrated bus stand at Panjapur last year.

Pointing out that the project had been dragging on for years, Mr. Ayyarappan said the NHAI could at least split the different components and execute them separately. “We wonder how long the DPR preparation would go on. They could at least begin building the bypass between Tiruchi-Madurai and Tiruchi-Dindigul highways,” he said.

Tiruchi Member of Parliament Durai Vaiko, who discussed the status of the elevated corridor with the regional officials of the NHAI on Wednesday, said the officials had assured him that the project would take off by March.