Mumbai, July 16 -- The Tiruchirappalli Corporation's Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) link road project has been delayed and is now expected to be completed in early 2028 instead of the earlier target of late 2026. The revision follows setbacks in land acquisition, pending statutory railway approvals and the absence of administrative sanction for the final phase, which have slowed construction activity around the city transport hub.

The link road is being developed to connect the Panjapur Integrated Bus Terminus with major state and national highways passing through Tiruchirappalli. Once finished, the corridor is intended to improve access to the bus terminus, reduce congestion on existing city roads and facilitate smoother movement of passenger and commercial traffic.

The project is divided into three phases. Phase I, connecting Panjapur and Karumandapam, was sanctioned at Rs 817 mn and has about 35 per cent of the work completed, but progress has slowed because approval is still pending from the Southern Railway for a road overbridge near E Pudur MGR Nagar. Phase II, covering the Woraiyur-Kudamurutti checkpost stretch, has reached around 15 per cent completion and is held up mainly by delays in acquiring land required for the alignment.

The third and longest phase, connecting Karumandapam and Woraiyur, has not received administrative sanction and comprises multiple elevated stretches designed to ease traffic through densely populated areas, including an elevated segment near the Woraiyur Kasivilangi fish market. District Collector Pratik Tayal recently reviewed progress and inspected works along the Koraiyar and Kudamurutti riverbanks. The proposed corridor will eventually link the Trichy-Madurai National Highway and the Trichy-Karur National Highway, improving regional connectivity.

The IBT link road is considered a key supporting infrastructure project for the Panjapur IBT and is expected to improve traffic distribution, shorten bus travel times and enhance connectivity between the western and southern corridors of the city. Work on the approved phases will continue while authorities seek to expedite land acquisition, secure railway approvals and obtain administrative clearance for the remaining section to meet the revised early 2028 target.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.