THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending a prolonged wait of over two decades, the construction work of the second phase of Kazhakoottam-Karode NH bypass - from Mukkola to Karode on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border - has finally begun.
With all the hurdles pertaining to land acquisition process being cleared, the preliminary works, including clearing the land and cutting down of trees, started a week ago. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had awarded the work contract of the `497.08-crore project to the lowest bidder, L&T Constructions.
Unlike the widening works of other national highways in the state, the NHAI will have to begin from the scratch here, by constructing a 45-metre wide road with service roads and median in the densely populated region covering 16.5 kms.
Interestingly, the stretch from Mukkola to Karode will be developed as a cement concrete pavement, making it the first ‘white road’ in the state. A decision in this regard was taken following the directive of the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.
In a bid to complete the construction smoothly and in a time-bound manner, the contractor has started the preliminary works by clearing the path from both sides at Karode and Mukkola simultaneously. “Technically, only the clearing of the stretch has begun. Though the decks have been cleared for land acquisition, the construction will begin only after fixing an ‘appointment date’ with the contractor,” says a top NHAI official.
Around 91 per cent of the land acquisition process has been completed and the remaining acquisition works in the five villages, through which the stretch is passing, will be carried out after the compensation is handed out by the Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition).
Legal tangles
It is learnt that a major chunk of the remaining portions to be acquired are caught in legal tangles. Hence, the NHAI will have to approach the court and deposit the compensation amount to complete the acquisition process. However, the NHAI made it clear that it was not a serious issue. The bypass stretch mainly passes through Mukkola, Payattuvila, Marappalam, Kazhivoor, Thadathikulam, Mulluvila, Pazhayakada, Thirupuram, Vlathankara, Poozhikunnu and will be connected to Inchivila near Kaliyikkavila.
Technically, only the clearing of the stretch has begun. Though the decks have been cleared for land acquisition, the construction will begin only after fixing an ‘appointment date’ with the contractor
NHAI official
Bypass extension
The construction of the extension of the bypass from the border to Kanyakumari has also been started. L&T is the contractor for this stretch too. Once the works in both the states are completed, Kazhakootam and Kanya-kumari will be connected by a single stretch. The Vizhinjam container terminal will benefit from this stretch as container move-ment would become easier
Flyovers & underpasses
Three flyovers and four underpasses are proposed to be built on the stretch. Flyovers will be built at Marappalam, Kottukunnam-Pottayilkada and Kaduvakuzhi-Chenkavila road on the Kerala-TN border. Under-passes will be constructed on Punnakulam-Chappath road, Kazhivoor road, Pazhayakada-Plamootukada road and at Kottukal.
Land acquisition hurdles
For the past two decades, the land acquisition had remained a major hurdle for the project. However, the timely dispensation of compensation amount to the landlords has eased the acquisition procedure now and helped the contractor begin the works. The landlords and building owners are given a week time for demolishing the buildings. The NHAI has also began marking the stretch by measuring the alignment at Karode and Mukkola.
Phase-I work progressing
The first phase construction of Kazhakootam to Mukkola stretch is progressing at a fast pace though the works got disrupted due to various issues in the past. The laying of bitumen has been completed between Kazhakootam and Infosys campus at Akkulam. The tarring works have been started between Akkulam and Chakkai. Work on new bridge at Akkulam is going on smoothly.
