₹187 crore sanctioned for Mayiladuthurai bypass project

The long-pending Mayiladuthurai bypass project has received a major boost with ₹187 crore sanctioned by the Highways and Minor Ports Department.

The project, which was initially proposed in 2010, saw little progress until 2021, when ₹57 crore was allocated for land acquisition across 16.88 km.

The bypass is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the town and improve regional connectivity. It will link major routes, including the Chennai–Kumbakonam Road, Nagapattinam–Mayiladuthurai Road, Poompuhar–Kallanai Road, and Mayiladuthurai–Tiruvarur Road.

Mayiladuthurai MLA S. Rajakumar told The Hindu said the project was revived after he raised the issue during the 2021 Assembly session. “In the first phase, ₹113 crore has been sanctioned for constructing a 10-km stretch from Thiruvizhundur to the District Collectorate via Mannampandal. Another ₹72.35 crore has been allocated for the next 5.88 km stretch from the District Collectorate to Mayiladuthurai-Thiruthuraipoondi Road,” he said. An additional bridge across the Cauvery, estimated at ₹15 crore, had been planned, he said.

Mr. Rajakumar said the new bypass would transform accessibility to Mayiladthurai district to the local residents as well as outsiders. He said the work would be completed within two years.