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New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
SN Junction–Poothotta road widening revived after decade-long delay
KOCHI: A key project aimed at easing the traffic congestion in Tripunithura and its surrounding areas, which has languished in the backburner for nearly a decade, is finally set to become a reality. The Rs 672-crore project to widen the 13-km SN Junction-Poothotta stretch into a four-lane road has been revived with the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) completing the crucial realignment process, paving the way for immediate land acquisition. 'Land acquisition for the SN Jn-Poothotta road widening will begin soon,' MLA K Babu told TNIE. First included in the state budget in 2017, the delay in implementing the project has significantly worsened traffic woes in Tripunithura, a burgeoning residential hub on Kochi's outskirts. Residents have long grappled with slow-moving traffic, particularly along this vital corridor that connects key residential areas to the city. KRFB's recent completion of the realignment process marks a major breakthrough. The step not only finalises land requirements but also incorporates vital enhancements to the original plan. As part of the renewed project, nine key junctions -- including Kizhakkekotta, Nadakkavu, Kannankulangara, Puthenkavu and Udayamperoor -- along the stretch will see development like the construction of bell-mouths, promising smoother traffic flow and reduced bottlenecks. Additionally, 12 new bus bays will be constructed, providing designated stops that prevent buses from obstructing traffic, thereby improving overall road safety and public transport efficiency. 'We've submitted the revised alignment and also the request for 11 (1) notification, the crucial step for land acquisition, to the district collector. After this, the 19 (1) notification will have to be issued when the compensation amount for land owners will be determined,' a senior KRFB official said. Post realignment, the total land to be acquired for the project has risen to 13.12 hectares from the earlier 12.62 hectares. Acquisition often represents the most challenging and time-consuming aspect of infrastructure projects in densely populated areas. The official, however, promised quick implementation.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Relief ahead for Thiruvananthapuram's eastern suburbs as road upgrade gains pace
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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Meet decides to fast-track Thammanam-Pullepady Road work
Kochi: A joint meeting convened by mayor M Anilkumar and district collector NSK Umesh on Tuesday decided to expedite work on Thammanam-Pullepady Road. As part of it, the meeting decided to complete a social impact assessment (SIA) study at the earliest. Officials were directed to complete the land acquisition swiftly to enable beginning of construction activities by year end. The 4(1) notification for the Thammanam-Pullepady Road was issued on April 10. Revenue department officials said that the land acquired would be handed over to Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) once the procedures were completed. Data collection for social impact study has already begun. After completing social impact study, the 11(1) notification will be issued. Before the issuance of the 19(1) notification, the mayor requested the removal of electric poles and other obstacles from the acquired land to begin temporary road metalling. Once the compensation is provided, land will be acquired from all landowners. KIFB has been instructed to prepare an estimate for removing obstacles, including potholes, from the stretch. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kodinada-Vazhimukku road devpt: Govt okays 102cr more
1 2 3 T'puram: The state govt has sanctioned Rs 102.4 crore as compensation amount for the land to be acquired for the development of the 1.5km Kodinada-Vazhimukku stretch at Balaramapuram, as part of the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila highway project. Finance minister K N Balagopal announced it on Tuesday. A total of Rs 97.6 crore was allocated earlier. Of the total Rs 200 crore, Rs 160 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition and Rs 40 crore for compensation related to structures and buildings to be demolished for the four-lane project. Parassala MLA C K Hareendran, who oversees the project, said the compensation disbursal would begin within a week. "The sanctioned amount will be transferred to the district collector and subsequently to the special tahsildar for the project. We hope to transfer the compensation amount to the landowners' bank accounts within a week," he said. After completing disbursal, the tender for road construction is expected to be invited in July so that construction can start in Sept. Balagopal confirmed that the entire amount required is available now. The Kerala Road Fund Board will serve as the project's implementing agency. To minimize private land acquisition, the state plans to utilize govt land along a 300m stretch near the Thykkapalli mosque, known as the Old Rajapatha. Authorities initially planned to complete the acquisition by Feb this year and commence construction by April, but deadlines were missed. An underpass was also proposed at the congested Balaramapuram Junction, but it was dropped later due to opposition from landowners. Motorists travelling from Parassala and Neyyattinkara to Thiruvananthapuram often face severe congestion at Balaramapuram, which has become a bottleneck. A Kunjalumoodu-based contractor is handling demolition, with buildings being razed at both Balaramapuram and Kodinada ends. Manual survey soon for final phase The state govt is likely to start the manual survey soon for the four-laning of Vazhimukku to Kaliyikkavila stretch on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The govt issued an order recently in this regard. "The govt has already earmarked Rs 562 crore for the compensation and to survey the land to be acquired on this stretch. Once the construction of the Kodinada-Vazhimukku starts, manual survey will also begin on this stretch. Earlier, a LiDAR survey was conducted, which was found to be ineffective. A manual survey will be more precise. We expect to start acquiring land for the Vazhimukku-Kaliyikkavila before state govt's tenure gets over," Hareendran said. A final decision has been made to widen this stretch to 30.2m and not 30m as proposed earlier.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Work on Cheruvannur flyover begins
Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the construction of the flyover at Cheruvannur near Feroke on Sunday (May 18). The project, aimed at easing traffic congestion at the Cheruvannur junction, is being developed under the City Road Improvement Project at an estimated cost of ₹89 crore, including land acquisition. The flyover will be 700 metres long and 16 metres wide, with 5.5-metre-wide service roads on both sides. The space beneath the flyover is planned to be converted into playgrounds and gardens. Around ₹30 crore has already been spent on land acquisition. The construction is being undertaken by the Uralungal Labour Contractors' Cooperative Society and is supervised by the Kerala Road Fund Board. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In his inaugural address, Mr. Riyas said that work on the Meenchanda–Areekkad flyover would also commence soon, further improving traffic flow towards Kozhikode city. 'We have constructed 16 new bridges in Kozhikode district and renovated six. In addition, 17 bridges are currently under construction. Special attention is being given to ensure the areas beneath these bridges are put to good use,' the Minister said. Chairman of the Public Works Standing Committee of Kozhikode Corporation P.C. Rajan presided over the function.
