The 38 km stretch between Mettupalayam and Avinashi via Annur is being widened from a two-lane road into a four-lane highway. New bridges are being constructed and existing infrastructure is being widened at locations where required, including near Nadoor and at the junction leading to the Government Arts College on Annur Road, and at other identified pinch points.
Construction of new bridges near Nadoor and at the college junction has remained suspended for about two months. Reinforcement rods installed at the Nadoor bridge have reportedly been left exposed, prompting concern about possible deterioration. Around 10 houses alongside the road near the Nadoor bridge were vacated and demolished to facilitate the expansion, yet residents say little progress has followed, prolonging inconvenience and uncertainty for families.
A senior official of the State Highways Department in the Coimbatore Division acknowledged the delay and said the contractor had been working slowly and had been served a notice. The official added that several labourers had gone to their hometowns and were expected to return next week, after which work would be expedited. The project has been divided into two packages, with more than 90 per cent of work completed in the first package covering the Avinashi-Naal Road junction near Annur, and around 72 per cent completed in the second package between Naal Road and Mettupalayam Town. A few land acquisition tasks remain pending and the department is targeting completion of the entire project by December this year, with officials to review progress periodically.