Mumbai, July 14 -- Public Works Minister P. K. Basheer said the central government has sanctioned Rs 20,390 million (mn) for the development of national highways in Kerala after talks with the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister. He said the funds will be allocated to five projects to be implemented in the near future. The announcement followed a meeting in New Delhi between state and federal officials.
The Centre has approved Rs 400 mn for the construction of the Bairakuppa Bridge to improve connectivity between Kerala and Karnataka, and Rs 984 mn for works on National Highway 744 that links Thirumangalam in Tamil Nadu with Kollam in Kerala. It has also sanctioned Rs 1,720 mn for the Kozhikode?Palakkad National Highway stretch. These allocations form part of a broader programme to upgrade key corridors and reduce bottlenecks.
In principle approval has been granted for ropeway projects at Sabarimala, Munnar and Wayanad, and the Detailed Project Report for the Sabarimala ropeway will be prepared soon. An agreement was reached for central approval worth Rs 16,630 mn to develop the Kadavoor?Chengannur Aanjilimoodu stretch of the Kollam?Theni National Highway into a four?lane road. The Union Minister is reported to have assured that approval for the Adimali?Kumily widening project would be granted soon.
The Centre has directed construction of an elevated highway from Ramanattukara in Kozhikode to Calicut International Airport and the connection of the Willingdon Island?Kundannoor Bypass to the Aroor?Angamaly Bypass. Approval for the revised alignment of the Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha bypasses is expected within three months while the alignment for the Kodungallur?Angamaly Bypass will be finalised soon. State officials said the measures aim to improve freight movement and airport access across the state.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.