T'puram: Although the city corporation, in collaboration with the Smart City project, is planning to install streetlights along the NH-66 stretch between Kazhakkoottam and Kovalam to address safety concerns raised by residents and commuters, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to receive a formal proposal. However, the NHAI has expressed readiness to approve the initiative if the submitted plans are deemed viable.Streetlights have already been installed on the Karamana-Pravachambalam stretch under the Smart City initiative, following persistent demands from residents.
Inspired by this success, authorities are now considering extending similar infrastructure to the Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch, a vital 26-km corridor flanked by IT hubs, institutions, malls, and residential complexes.
An NHAI official clarified that the highway authority is open to granting consent for the project but has not been formally approached yet. "We are aware of this initiative only through media reports. Once we receive a detailed proposal and find it feasible, we will approve it, provided the corporation or Smart City takes responsibility for maintenance" the official stated.
The city corporation previously proposed installing 120 light poles with advertising provisions from Technopark Phase-III to Mukkola. However, the NHAI rejected the proposal, citing its policy against hoarding advertisements. In a revised plan, the corporation suggested two options: installing 1,100 double-armed streetlight poles along the highway median with 20m intervals and erecting 2,200 single-arm streetlights on either side of the stretch. Additionally, the proposal includes a revenue-sharing model for the next 10 years to ensure the project's financial sustainability. Despite these updates, NHAI is yet to make a decision.
The Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch is a significant transit route connecting major hubs like the Vizhinjam International Container Terminal, Technopark, and the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.