Tunnelling works to resume in Kuthiran

The stalled construction works of two tunnels to avert traffic congestion in the Kuthiran hill region of busy National Highway 544 stretch between Palakkad and Thrissur will be resumed within a week.

The main contractor has decided to release funds to the subcontractor in-charge of tunnelling works following the intervention of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Paucity of funds has forced the subcontractor to halt the construction works for over three months.

The work on two tunnels, forming part of the six-lane Walayar-Vadakkanchery stretch of the NH, was expected to complete by last March as per the initial agreement.

On completion, the two-km tunnels will reduce travel time significantly between Palakkad and Thrissur. Road users can reach Kochi from Coimbatore in three hours after the completion of works.

The ₹900 crore tunnelling project is the first of its kind in the State. Mumbai-based Pragathi Engineering and Rail Project is the subcontractor for the ambitious project.

It was after releasing of pending arrears worth ₹40 crore, the company decided to resume the works.

More than 90% works of the left tunnel have already been completed but the right one has been lagging behind.