COIMBATORE: While the first phase of the much-anticipated Western Ring Road project was inaugurated and opened to traffic earlier this year, the slow progress of the Mylkal flyover has become a growing source of frustration for motorists and residents. The delay has also cast uncertainty over the timely execution of the project’s subsequent phases.
The Western Ring Road, also known as the Western Bypass, is a major infrastructure project aimed at decongesting Coimbatore city by providing an alternative route for vehicles travelling towards Palakkad, Mettupalayam and other destinations without entering the city limits. The 32.43-km, four-lane corridor will connect Mylkal on the Salem-Cochin Road (SHU 52) with Narasimhanaickenpalayam on the Nagapattinam-Gudalur-Mysore Road (NH 67), passing through 15 revenue villages in the district.
The project has been planned in three phases. Phase I, covering 11.80 km through Madukkarai, Sundakkamuthur, Perur Chettipalayam, Theethipalayam and Madampatti, was launched in August 2023 and completed in February 2026 at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. Former Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated the stretch on March 13 this year. However, one key component of Phase I, the 800-metre flyover at Mylkal, remains far from completion. The structure is intended to ease traffic congestion at the busy junction connecting Palakkad Main Road and the Western Ring Road. Despite work commencing in May 2025, progress has been sluggish, with not even 25% of the project completed.
Officials have managed to construct only two deck slabs on the Palakkad Main Road, while most of the bridge work remains pending. The slow pace has drawn criticism from daily commuters, many of whom expected the flyover to be operational alongside the bypass.
“The bypass has definitely reduced travel time, but the unfinished flyover creates a bottleneck at Mylkal, especially during peak hours,” said R Fayaz, a private company employee from Kuniyamuthur.
Another motorist, S Vimal, expressed disappointment over the delay. “The project was supposed to improve connectivity, but seeing the flyover work move at such a slow pace is frustrating. It feels like there has been very little visible progress for months,” he said.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the remaining phases of the Western Ring Road project. Sources said that tenders and projects announced under the previous DMK administration have been suspended by the TVK government and are currently under review, resulting in delays to the commencement of Phase II, which covers a 12.10-km stretch through Perur, West Chithirai Chavadi, Kallikanaicken Palayam, Vadavalli and Somayampalayam.
Speaking to TNIE, a senior state highways department official said several technical challenges had slowed the flyover work.
“We have been facing difficulties due to underground water supply and underground drainage pipelines that need to be relocated. The area is also located on rocky terrain, requiring extensive excavation and rock removal before foundation work could proceed. We have now cleared the obstacles on one side and started basement works. We are aiming to complete the flyover within the next four months,” the official said.
When inquired about commencing phase two of the project, the official said the newly formed government will take a call on it after completing the review works.
