Kazhakkoottam-Karode NH stretch to be ready in 6 months

Thiruvananthapuram: National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which began construction of Kazhakkoottam-Karode national highway more than three years ago, is gearing up for commissioning the project this year. NHAI has set June as deadline for both Kazhakoottam-Mukkola and Mukkola-Karode stretches. Accordingly, pending work on both stretches will gather momentum in the coming days.
Once completed, the road will provide easy connectivity for vehicles moving from northern Kerala to Tamil Nadu, bypassing Thiruvananthapuram city and Karaman-Kaliyikkavila old NH stretch.

The work of Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch, phase I of the project, is being implemented by KNR Constructions while phase II works from Mukkola to Karode is entrusted with L&T.

While floating tenders for the project, NHAI has given 24 months’ time for both phase I and phase II. The former was launched in September 2015 and the other in July 2016.

Both witnessed extension of deadlines several times. Phase I was delayed due to issues in cutting trees and shifting of utilities while the other was disrupted by residents demanding better compensation.

Phase 1

Construction of Chackai flyover is one major work remaining in the phase I works. The NHAI has already completed construction of major vehicular underpasses and bridges in the stretch. Sources close to the project said that 95 % works of phase I have been completed. However, the phase II has completed only 40% works so far.

Phase II

It was earlier expected that the 16.5km stretch from Mukkola to Karode would be completed ahead of phase I as it is a greenfield one. The concrete highway was progressing at a fast pace initially. However, now NHAI will have to do overtime work to finish the stretch by June.

Construction of a retaining wall is the major challenge of phase II works. Being a greenfield stretch, red earth has to be procured and dumped in large scale for levelling works. The tedious nature of levelling work, coupled with the shortage of raw materials is other major hurdles. Also, rain might affect the works. As per the directive of ministry of roads transport and highways, the greenfield stretch has to be constructed as concrete roads, which is more durable and requires less amount of raw materials. A bridge across Neyyar is the only structure in phase II. NHAI has completed construction of abetment of the bridge across the river.

Construction of Kazhakkoottam flyover, which is a standalone project, will start this year. Though the work was awarded to Rameshwar Dayal and Son-Cherian Varkey Construction Company, the district administration is yet to complete land acquisition for the 2.3-km flyover.