NHAI to build bypass around Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to build a bypass around Gangaikondacholapuram on the Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway (NH 81) to divert traffic away from the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, a world heritage monument situated in Ariyalur district.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to build a bypass around Gangaikondacholapuram on the Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway (NH 81) to divert traffic away from the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, a world heritage monument situated in Ariyalur district.

The move comes in the wake of concerns raised by heritage enthusiasts and conservationists over possible damage to the ancient structure caused by due to the vibrations caused by the movement of heavy vehicles on the highway.

The NHAI recently floated a tender for building the bypass at an estimate of about ₹103.62 crore. Sources in the NHAI said the greenfield 7.2-km-long bypass will run from Gangaikondacholapuram to Meensuritti on the highway and would entail land acquisition. The work is expected to commence once the land is available. As per the tender document, the work is to be completed in 18 months and the contractor would be obligated to maintain it for five years.

The 134-km-long Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway (NH 81) was strengthened and developed in recent years in three packages covering Tiruchi-Kallagam, Kallagam-Meensuritti, and Meensuritti-Chidambaram stretches. As the highway runs close to the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, the Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council Trust (GKC Trust), led by its chairman R. Komagan, had called for building a bypass to protect the monument from possible damage due to vehicular traffic on the highway.

Based on his representation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2023 had taken up the matter with her Cabinet colleague and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari requesting him to consider the plea. Following this, the NHAI had conducted a feasibility study and decided to build the bypass.

Gangaikondachalpuram and the temple were built by King Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE) after his victorious expedition up to the Gangetic plains. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, listed as one of the three Great Living Chola Temples by UNESCO, is under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India.

“The highway development was endangering the structural stability of the temple and its sub shrines due to the movement of heavy vehicles close by. Besides, rare inscriptions in the temple complex will be prone to be damaged due to emissions from the vehicles,” Mr. Komagan had contended then.