THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The development of the proposed six-lane, 600-kilometre NH 66 stretch from Thalappady in Kasaragod to Karode in Thiruvananthapuram has gained momentum with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) finalising the contract for 16 of the 20 reaches in the state. The road work is part of the of Panvel-Kanyakumari national highway development project.
In a Facebook post, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday the NH 66 development in the state has received a new lease of life with the tender work and other proceedings moving at a fast pace. “Around 25% of the land acquisition required is borne by the state government. Under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, landlords are entitled to a maximum compensation of twice the market rate. The ongoing compensation distribution in the state will be completed within six months. With the completion of NH 66, the road traffic in the state will be smoother and safer,” Pinarayi wrote.
According to NHAI sources, the land acquisition process is in its final stages in various districts. The preliminary work -- demolition of buildings and felling of trees -- has started in Kasaragod, Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. The construction of the Mahe Bypass and the Mukkola-Karode Road will be completed by March 2022. The fastest progress is seen in Malappuram and Kasaragod districts. Land levelling too has begun in many of these districts.
Preliminary steps have also been taken to turn the four-lane Edappally-Aroor stretch into a six-lane one. Besides, work on the four-lane Kochi-Munnar-Theni NH 85, six-lane Thrissur-Edappally and Walayar-Vadakkancherry stretches of NH 544, four-lane Palakkad-Kozhikode NH 966 stretch and the four-lane Thiruvananthapuram-Angamaly stretch is progressing well, said a source. It is also learnt that the DPR preparation for the four-laning of the Kollam-Shenkottai NH 744 and the Kutta-Malappuram stretch is also in the final stages.
