Phase III of inner link road from Karumandapam to Woraiyur in limbo

The inner link road project along the banks of the Koraiyar and the Kudamurutti was aimed at creating a new approach to the newly built bus terminus at Panjapur. | Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY The Phase-III of the inner link road from Karumandapam to Woraiyur along the Koraiyar and the Kudamuritti in the city has made no headway.It is part of a link road from Panjapur to Karur Bypass, which is aimed at decongesting the city traffic, connecting the Integrated Bus Terminus with several residential areas of the city. While the total estimate of the project is pegged at ₹483.72 crore, the Tiruchi Corporation, in order to complete the project early, divided it into three phases. The phase-I covers two km from Panjapur to Karumandapam and it is being implemented at a cost of ₹81.72 crore, Phase-II covers 2.260 km from Woraiyur to Karur Bypass and it is being executed with an outlay of ₹68 crore. Phase-III will cover 5.85 km from Karumandapam to Woraiyur at₹334 crore.Of the three phases, phase-I and phase-II are progressing well. Phase-I is approaching at a rapid pace. However, there has been no progress in phase-III. It covers the longest stretch, running along the banks of the Koraiyar and the Kudamurutti. The civic body had initially earmarked about 20 acres for land acquisition for this section. However, following objections from residents, the civic body revised the plan and reduced the land requirement to about 1.80 acres. It is estimated that it might cost ₹25 crore towards compensation for landowners.Several attempts were made during the DMK regime to bring the phase-III proposal to the tender stage. Officials of the Tiruchi Corporation made a few visits to Chennai to impress upon the need to seek funds for the project. Tiruchi West MLA K.N. Nehru, who initiated the project when he was the Minister for Municipal Administration in the DMK government, closely followed the proposal. But by the time the State government allocated funds, there was a change of guard in May. However, official sources admit that the proposal had not seen noticeable progress.K. Suresh, CPI councillor representing Ward 23 in Tiruchi Corporation, said the project was aimed at creating a new link with the newly built bus terminus at Panjapur. The formation of the new road was paramount not only to decongest the city at various points but also to accelerate the growth. However, the project has been kept pending for so long. Mayor M. Anbazhagan said he had discussed it with the Corporation Commissioner. The project was at the tendering stage. Steps would be expedited to call for tender as early as possible. Published - October 09, 2026 07:27 pm IST