Starting August 1, only one toll plaza-located at Madukkarai-will function on the Neelambur to Madukkarai bypass road (NH-544) in Coimbatore. The decision comes as part of a new operational plan by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which recently took over the bypass from Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
The bypass, which spans approximately 28 km, was previously managed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement by L&T. The company collected tolls at six points along the route. However, with the takeover by NHAI earlier this year, the highway authority has proposed reducing the toll collection to a single point to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is currently awaiting official gazette notification for enforcement.
In the meantime, NHAI has floated tenders for one-year maintenance contracts. These include responsibilities such as road repairs, accident mitigation measures, ambulance and crane services, and patrolling support to ensure safety along the stretch.
Officials have also confirmed that a proposal to upgrade the bypass to a six-lane highway is in the pipeline, following concerns over increasing accidents and traffic volume. The expansion plan is expected to be taken up once approvals are granted.
This shift in tolling and future plans mark a significant development for the heavily-used bypass road, which connects major industrial and residential zones in Coimbatore.
