The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has formally sought the transfer of approximately 2.5 acres of land from Indian Railways for the construction of a long-awaited vehicular underpass at G Corner.
The project, set to be located across the Tiruchi–Chennai Bypass, has been a persistent civic demand from residents of the Golden Rock area, particularly following the four-lane expansion of the highway. Once a relatively accessible corridor, the bypass now effectively divides the Golden Rock neighbourhood and Senthaneerpuram, forcing daily commuters—especially workers of the Golden Rock Railway Workshop—to take detours of nearly 2 kilometres due to lack of a direct crossing. The narrow two-way service road currently functioning as a temporary link has become a bottleneck, raising risks of accidents and limiting efficient connectivity.
The proposed underpass aims to resolve these challenges, enabling safe, uninterrupted access under the busy Chennai–Tiruchi–Madurai National Highway. According to officials familiar with the matter, the land requested from Indian Railways is crucial to move the project from planning to implementation. Once the allocation is finalised, the NHAI is expected to move swiftly on the detailed project report, which is anticipated to be ready by mid-June. The idea of constructing an underpass at this location is not new. Talks between NHAI and Railways date back to 2012, when preliminary negotiations collapsed over land and funding issues. Despite an initial agreement on land provision by the Railways, the issue stalled due to a lack of consensus on financial contributions. With renewed momentum and growing pressure from local stakeholders, both agencies have now indicated their intent to take the project forward in the public interest.
This proposed infrastructure upgrade is expected to be transformative not only for the convenience it promises local residents but also for improving the broader logistics and mobility network within the city. The project is consistent with India’s vision of building safer, more accessible and equitable urban transport frameworks. It also aligns with long-term sustainable urban mobility goals by addressing vehicular congestion and minimising indirect emissions caused by extended detours and traffic delays. As urbanisation intensifies in tier-two cities like Tiruchi, the importance of such targeted infrastructure projects cannot be overstated. Efficient road-rail coordination, equitable land utilisation, and strategic public investment are key pillars in ensuring cities are accessible for all. The underpass, if realised promptly, will stand as a critical example of collaborative governance and community-focused development.
With the demand for the project echoing for over a decade, the onus now lies on administrative coordination to convert intent into action. If the land is made available without delay, the underpass could soon become a vital link that reconnects communities and enhances Tiruchi’s urban mobility.
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NHAI Seeks Railway Land to Build G Corner Underpass in Tiruchi Soon
