THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of developing the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the state government is gearing up to strengthen three roads that connect the national highway with the port and its neighbourhood.
The roads awaiting renovation are the Pallichal-Vizhinjam, Balaramapuram-Mukkola and Vazhimukku-Kanjiramkulam stretches.
These roads connect the Vizhinjam-Poovar stretch of the coastal road to the Karamana-Kalayikkavila National Highway at various points. The roads will be widened and strengthened as part of the project, as per decisions taken at a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy last week. One of the goods yard planned as part of the project will come up at Iduva on the Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam stretch. The goods yard will be situated just one kilometre away from Payarakkunnu through which this road passes. A second goods yard at Kottukal will be situated one kilometre from Avanakkuzhi on the Vazhimukku-Kanjiramkulam road.
According to officials, trucks need to travel only two kilometres from Avanakkuzhi to reach the Iduva goods yard. There are also plans to widen the junctions at Balaramapuram, Vazhimukku and Pallichal to accommodate heavy container trucks.
As per plans, all three roads should have double-lanes at the least. The meeting has entrusted a Committee led by the District Collector to acquire the remaining land for the Vizhinjam port project.
There are also plans to provide rail connectivity to the port. The state government is in the process of finalising the alignment and related formalities in this regard.