Construction of phase II of key road set to begin in July
T'puram: The construction of the second reach of Vazhayila-Nedumangad road is set to commence in July. The tender for this phase, covering the stretch from Karakulam to Valicode, will be floated next month, said officials related to the project.
The process of compensation to landowners affected by the project is progressing. Of 312 landowners in the second reach, compensation to 177 has been fully disbursed.
The awarding process to another 25 landowners is underway at the district collectorate, and disbursal to these persons is expected to begin next week. Officials expect to complete compensation to the remaining landowners by July, thereby enabling govt to proceed with the tender process as planned. Under existing rules, at least 80% of landowners must be compensated before moving forward with tendering for road construction.
Food and civil supplies minister GR Anil, who is overseeing the project, said govt is committed to completing the entire stretch before its tenure ends. "Compensation awarding of second reach will be completed by July, and the tender for the third reach will begin in Sep. We expect the entire stretch from Vazhayila to Nedumangad to be completed by the first quarter of 2026," Anil told TOI.
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He added that construction of a flyover at Karakulam, part of the project, was also progressing well, with work on the pillars nearing completion. The work of the first reach and flyover is expected to be completed by Dec. Cherian Varkey Constructions had bagged the contract for first reach of the project, from Vazhayila to Keltron Junction at Karakulam, including Karakulam flyover. The 375-m-long flyover will feature a 300-m approach road on both sides, with the total project cost estimated at Rs 50 crore.
Kerala Road Fund Board
is the executing agency. Widening of the 11.3-km main carriageway is being undertaken by dividing the stretch into three phases, with separate tenders floated for each phase. Currently, survey work for the third phase from Valicode to Nedumangad is ongoing.
The project covers 9.5km from Vazhayila to Pazhakutty and 1.2km from Pazhakutty petrol pump junction in Nedumangad town to 11th milestone. Construction of the first reach began five months ago. As part of a comprehensive rehabilitation package, eligible persons, including those operating businesses on encroached land, were compensated amounts ranging between Rs 30,000 and Rs 2 lakh. The road widening has been a long-standing demand for significantly improving connectivity from the state capital to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
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