National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is expected to implement the Coimbatore Eastern Bypass project once the funds are allocated and tender for the project is floated. Sources said on Tuesday that preliminary works are going on for the allocation of funds and floating of tender for the project.

Coimbatore Eastern bypass, proposed for a distance of 81 kms from Narasimhanaickenpalayam to Kaniyur and further till Madukkarai, will link all the six major National Highways in Coimbatore (Mettupalayam road -NH181, Sathyamangalam road -NH948, Avinashi road - NH544, Trichy road -NH81, Pollachi road -NH83 and Palakkad road -NH544. Similar to the Coimbatore Western Bypass road, this project too will facilitate alternate route for vehicles traveling to and from Kerala.

The project was first announced during the ADMK-regime in 2016. At that time, NHAI decided to implement the Coimbatore Bypass project along with Coimbatore to Karur Expressway. A feasibility study report for the project was prepared in 2018, and it was estimated that it would need a budget of Rs 7,500 crore. However the project did not show any signs of movement after that.

Underlining the importance of the Eastern Bypass project, industry bodies in Coimbatore and Kongu region recently appealed Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to take steps to quickly execute the Coimbatore Eastern Bypass road project first and then focus on Coimbatore to Karur Expressway that will be for 120 kms.