Kazhakoottam-Kadampattukonam NH 66: Far away from reality

The construction of National Highway 66 is progressing well in all parts of Kerala. However, it is a different story when it comes to the Kazhakoottam-Kadampattukonam project. 94 per cent of the work from Kadampattukonam to Kollam is complete. Even when work continues to move at a fast pace, the Kazhakoottam-Kadampattukonam reach, which connects the capital city to other parts, is not going to be completed in the next one and a half years. This will pile up the burden for passengers commuting this route. Accidents are also a new normal in the area.

The construction of this route was subcontracted to Pune-based RKC Infrastructure Company. Despite the new company taking over, the construction is dragging on. The National Highways Authority has only levied a fine on the first company, as there would be legal complications if it were blacklisted. The reasons cited for the delay in construction work include a lack of availability of soil and occasional rain. Meanwhile, the Kadampattukonam-Kollam work progressed aat raid pace despite these adverse conditions. Kazhakoottam failed to pull a similar feat, and it remains rather a mystery. Currently, work is underway from Kazhakoottam to Vetturod and Pallipuram. Progress is slow in all other places. The project, which started in 2022, is still lagging.

This project, targeted to be completed in December this year, is unlikely to meet the deadline. The construction of the 11.50 km Attingal Bypass, which was started along with this, is also stalled at many places. Work is yet to be completed for the flyover, underpass and service roads. In some places of the bypass, even the structure of the road has not been completed. The risk of accidents has also increased as more than thirty meters of soil have been removed for flyovers. Meanwhile, a tender of Rs 959.25 crore has been invited for the construction of 12 flyovers, two cut-and-cover tunnels, and an underpass in the Kazhakoottam-Kadampattukonam reach. This should have been done earlier. The tender will now be floated by the end of next month. It will take months before the company gets into the project after completing the subsequent procedures.

The new tender process is part of the changes made to the highway design in view of the heavy rains and soil structure in Kerala. Although National Highways Authority officials say that the work as per the new tender will not affect the construction of the National Highway, that may not be entirely true. The time allotted to the contractor who takes the new tender is one and a half years. Even if taking that word into belief, the work will be completed only in 2028.

Elevated roads will be constructed at Technopark Phase IV, CRPF Junction, and Mamam. Flyovers will be constructed near the Vamanapuram river on the bypass and in places where the soil is not stable. All this will take time to complete. By then, the National Highways Authority should make efforts to complete the construction of the National Highway quickly.