T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and public works and tourism minister PA Mohamed Riyas met Union minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Friday regarding the development of national highways in the state.
The progress of work on National Highway (NH)-66, from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, was discussed in detail during the meeting. The development activities of NH-66 are progressing with a width of 45m in six lanes. Riyas expressed hope that the development work on NH-66 would largely be completed by Dec 2025. He added that Rs 5,580 crore was spent for this purpose so far.
Currently, NH-66's construction progress, which is being evaluated every week, is as follows: Chengala-Nileshwaram (58.5%), Nileshwaram-Taliparamba (50%), Taliparamba-Muzhappilangad (58.8%), Azhiyur-Vengalam (45.7%), Kozhikode bypass (76%), Kottukulangara-Kollam bypass (55%), Thalapady-Chengala (74.7%), Ramanattukara-Valanchery bypass (80%), Valanchery bypass-Karippad (82%), Karippad-Thalikulam (49.7%), Thalikulam-Kodungallur (43%), Paravur-Kottukulangara (44.4%), Kollam bypass-Kadampattukonam (50%), Kadampattukonam-Kazhakkoottam(35.7%). It was decided in the meeting to expedite the completion of the remaining sections.
During the meeting with Gadkari, CM presented the long-term road development plans. Vijayan submitted plans for 17 roads with a 20-year view, and Gadkari responded positively. CM requested more central projects for state's future road development.
Riyas stated that Gadkari gave assurances that alignment changes for seven delayed projects could be approved. The total length of these seven projects is 460km.
The land acquisition for Palakkad-Kozhikode greenfield highway is progressing well, said Riyas. The Union minister approved the development of Punalur bypass, which experiences heavy traffic congestion during the Sabarimala season. The construction of an underpass at Thikkodi for vehicle passage was also approved by Gadkari. The meeting decided to take steps for the construction of a 9km elevated road to Kozhikode airport.