Centre's green signal for Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu Road upgrade as single stretch
A meeting between Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently, combined with the efforts of the State government, resulted in the decision. Mr. Gadkari has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to speed up the process.
The project to develop the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu Road into eight lanes was proposed over 15 years ago. It took several protests and pressure tactics by the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu Road Action Committee, led by the late historian M.G.S. Narayanan, to make the project a reality even though the funds had been sanctioned much earlier.
When the work began in mid-June this year under the Kozhikode City Roads Improvement Project, it drew flak from the committee as well as the public as the plan included only the development of the stretch from Mananchira to Malaparamba. The Public Works department explained that the State did not have the authority to develop the remaining part of the road, as it came under NH 766 (Kozhikode–Kollegal) and required the permission of the NHAI.
At present, the work on the Mananchira–Malaparamba stretch is progressing fast. The drainage work has been completed from Mananchira to the civil station. Levelling of the acquired land is in progress from Fathima Hospital to East Nadakkavu. Meanwhile, the potholes formed on the existing Wayanad Road due to rain have been filled.
The work on this stretch is expected to be completed by December this year, after which the Malaparamba–Vellimadukunnu stretch will be taken up.
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