The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded the contract for the construction of a 7 km long two-lane Greenfield Bypass with paved shoulders at Gangaikonda Cholapuram on the Kallagam–Meensurutti section of National Highway-81 (NH-81) in Tamil Nadu. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Prime Minister on 11 March 2026, marking a significant step toward improving regional connectivity and protecting an important heritage site.
The bypass project will include the development of 3.47 km of service and slip roads, along with two minor bridges, two Vehicular Underpasses (VUPs), three Light Vehicular Underpasses (LVUPs), and eight box culverts. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the area and improve road safety for visitors and residents.
Currently, the existing NH-81 alignment passes very close to the Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a nearly 1,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage monument. Heavy vehicle movement near the temple has raised concerns regarding both pilgrim safety and the preservation of the historic structure. The new bypass will divert through-traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, away from the temple precinct, helping to create a safer environment for pilgrims while also reducing air pollution that could damage the temple’s historic stone inscriptions.
The project is also expected to enhance connectivity to major religious destinations in the region, including the Aranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam and the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. Improved highway infrastructure is anticipated to boost tourism, strengthen the local economy, and provide a smoother travel experience for highway users across the region.
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