**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3023 raised on August 7, 2025, regarding the construction of bypass roads to alleviate traffic congestion in Usilampatti and Andippatti (Theni Lok Sabha Constituency) on National Highway NH85, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, stated the following:
The Ministry is currently preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development and widening of the Madurai-Theni-Tamil Nadu/Kerala border section of NH85. This DPR includes proposed bypasses at Andippatti and Usilampatti. The construction of these bypasses will be contingent upon the findings of the DPR, prioritization, and alignment with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The development and maintenance of National Highways is an ongoing process.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways.
NH85: National Highway 85, a highway that links Kochi, Kerala, with Thondi, Tamil Nadu.
Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the bypass road on NH85.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Usilampatti, Tamil Nadu: Town in Tamil Nadu, part of Theni Lok Sabha Constituency, experiencing traffic congestion, for which a bypass is proposed.
Andippatti, Tamil Nadu: Town in Tamil Nadu, part of Theni Lok Sabha Constituency, experiencing traffic congestion, for which a bypass is proposed.
Theni Lok Sabha Constituency: Parliamentary constituency encompassing Usilampatti and Andippatti, where the need for a bypass road is being addressed.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity to various economic zones.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3023
ANSWERED ON 7th AUGUST, 2025
BYPASS ROAD ON NH-85
3023. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to lay a bypass road to
decongest traffic from Usilampatti and Andippatti in Theni Lok Sabha
Constituency on the National Highway (NH)-85 which links Kochi
(Kerala) with Thondi (Tamil Nadu) and passing through Bodi, Theni,
Andippatti, Usilampatti, Madurai, Thiruppuvanar, Sivagangai,
Kalayarkoil which is a long pending demand of people, if so, the
details thereof; and
(b) if not, whether such proposal would be considered to execute in
near future as the people from Usilampatti, Andippatti and its
surrounding areas are suffering from traffic congestions and
accidents, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) & (b) Development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) is
a continuous process. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for thedevelopment and widening of the Madurai–Theni–Tamil Nadu/Kerala
border section of NH-85, including proposed bypasses at Andippatti
and Usilampatti, is under preparation. Construction of the bypasses
will be undertaken based on the outcome of the DPR, inter-se priority,
and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
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