Relief ahead for Thiruvananthapuram's eastern suburbs as road upgrade gains pace

Time of India

7 days ago

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has granted technical sanction for the second phase of the Vazhayila–Nedumangad road development project, covering the Karakulam to Valicode stretch.
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This section is now cleared for tendering, and the long-awaited upgrade is one step closer to easing travel for residents of Thiruvananthapuram's eastern suburbs.
KRFB is expected to float the tender within two weeks, pending approval from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), which is likely within the next week. Once approved, tendering and construction are expected to begin without delay.
Minister for food and civil supplies and local MLA, G R Anil, confirmed the development. "The tender for the second reach is moving ahead at a fast pace. Once KIIFB gives cost concurrence, the tender will be floated by the end of this month," he told TOI.
He said the first phase of the project, stretching from Vazhayila to Karakulam is nearing completion and is expected to be opened to the public by Dec 2025. The second reach from Karakulam to Valicode is targeted for completion and opening by March 2026, while the third and final stretch, from Valicode to Nedumangad town, is slated for tendering in Sept and is expected to become operational by May 2026.
Under the current regulations, at least 80% of land acquisition payout must be completed before a tender can be floated. For the second phase, around 90% of compensation has already been disbursed to affected landowners, effectively clearing a key procedural hurdle.
The entire Vazhayila–Nedumangad corridor upgrade, spanning approximately 12km, is one of the most ambitious road development efforts currently underway in the district.
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Once completed, it is expected to significantly decongest traffic on the existing narrow stretch, improve commute times and boost economic activity in the suburban regions of the capital. This is also part of the Thiruvananthapuram-Tenkasi interstate highway.
The project faced several delays over the years due to challenges in land acquisition, fund approvals and alignment changes. However, with the KIIFB-backed funding mechanism now in place and compensation procedures nearly complete, the project is finally moving forward at an accelerated pace.
Locals have welcomed the developments, expressing hope that the road, once widened and modernised, would not only ease daily travel but also reduce accident rates, which have been a persistent concern along the current alignment.
The upgraded road will also support improved public transport connectivity and is expected to serve as a crucial feeder corridor for traffic heading toward Nedumangad, Aryanad, Vithura and Ponmudi, a key tourist destination in the region.
KIIFB is funding the project and the KRFB is the implementing agency. The govt previously sanctioned Rs 338.53 crore for the project, with Rs 279.31 crore allocated for road work and Rs 59.22 crore for land acquisition.