The concretisation work on the Vengeri overpass across National Highway 66 is nearly complete, and the overpass is expected to be ready by the end of the month. The overpass is being constructed as part of the six-laning project of the highway. It connects Kozhikode city with Vengeri and Balusseri.
The overpass is 40 meters wide, with 13 meters already completed and opened to traffic a few months ago. The remaining 27 meters are in the final stages of construction. Once completed, the overpass will also allow the opening of one-half of the highway underneath, which is currently closed to facilitate construction activities. Additionally, the service roads on both sides of the highway will be fully accessible once the overpass is operational.
The construction of the Vengeri overpass faced unexpected challenges due to pipelines laid by the Kerala Water Authority, which were found within the designated excavation area for the highway. The pipeline had to be relocated for over 100 meters before excavation could begin, causing a three-month delay in the project.
Meanwhile, construction work on another overpass across the highway, at Malaparamba, is progressing at a much faster pace, with girders recently placed. The Malaparamba overpass, where NH 66 intersects with NH 766 (Wayanad Road), is also 40 meters wide.
Along with these, the approach road to the flyover at Vengalam is also nearing completion and is also expected to be opened within the month. The works of the flyover at Pooladikunnu and the two bridges, one across Mampuzha near Pantheerankavu and another across Chaliyar at Arappuzha, are the only pending works in the Ramanattukara to Vengalam stretch of the National Highway.
Published - February 02, 2025 09:19 pm IST
