NHAI awards 7-km Gangaikonda Cholapuram bypass on NH-81 to protect 1,000-year-old temple
The National Highways Authority of India issued the letter of award on 12 March 2026 for a 7-km greenfield bypass around Gangaikonda Cholapuram on NH-81 in Tamil Nadu, whose foundation stone the Prime Minister laid on 11 March.
Summary
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced on 12 March 2026 that it had issued the letter of award for a 7-km, two-lane greenfield bypass with paved shoulders around Gangaikonda Cholapuram, on the Kallagam–Meensurutti section of NH-81 in Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister laid the project's foundation stone on 11 March 2026. The existing highway runs very close to the 1,000-year-old Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, so the bypass will divert heavy vehicles, improve pilgrims' safety and reduce pollution damage to the temple's stone inscriptions. The work includes 3.47 km of service roads, two minor bridges, two vehicular underpasses, three light vehicular underpasses and eight box culverts. It will also cut travel time to the Srirangam and Chidambaram temples.
Key facts
- Announced
- 12 March 2026 (letter of award)
- Foundation stone
- 11 March 2026, by the PM
- Project
- 7-km two-lane greenfield bypass, NH-81 (Kallagam–Meensurutti), Tamil Nadu
- Heritage
- Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram — 1,000 years old, UNESCO World Heritage
- Structures
- 3.47 km service roads; 2 minor bridges; 2 VUPs; 3 LVUPs; 8 box culverts
- Benefit
- Diverts heavy traffic; pilgrim safety; less damage to inscriptions
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The greenfield bypass awarded by NHAI on 12 March 2026 around Gangaikonda Cholapuram is on which National Highway?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — NH-81
The 7-km bypass is on the Kallagam–Meensurutti section of NH-81 in Tamil Nadu.
Which heritage monument is the Gangaikonda Cholapuram bypass, awarded on 12 March 2026, designed to protect?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
NH-81 runs very close to the 1,000-year-old Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage monument; the bypass will divert heavy vehicles away from it.