Pinarayi-Gadkari meeting: NH 66 will be completed by December next year

NEW DELHI: Public Works Department Minister PA Mohammed Riyas said that the construction of the Kasargod-Thiruvananthapuram National Highway 66 will be completed by December next year. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari yesterday to review the progress of the work. Mohammed Riyas also participated in the discussion.

The development of NH 66 is being carried out with a width of 45 meters in six lanes. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reacted to the project in a very positive manner. So far, Rs 5580 crore has been spent on the project. The Chief Minister also submitted plans for 17 roads envisioned for the next 20 years. The Union Minister responded favourably to these proposals as well.

Will give approval for 7 delayed projects

The Union Minister assured approval for the revised alignments of seven delayed projects, spanning a total length of 460 kilometres. These include: Malaparamba–Puthuppadi, Puthuppadi–Muthanga, Kollam–Aanjilimoodu, Kottayam–Ponkunnam, Mundakkayam–Kumily, Bharanikkavu–Mundakkayam, and Adimali–Kumily. Priority will be given to port connectivity roads. Approval was also granted for the development of the Punalur Bypass to address traffic congestion during the Sabarimala season, an underpass at Thikkodi, and a nine-kilometer elevated road to Kozhikode Airport. Minister Riyas said that with the arrival of Vande Bharat trains, people's interest in SilverLine has increased.

Construction progress in reaches of NH 66
1. Chengala- Nileshwar- 58.5 %
2. Nileshwar- Taliparamba- 50%
3. Taliparamba- Muzhuppilangadi- 58.8%
4. Azhiyoor- Venkulam- 45.7 %
5. Kozhikode Bypass- 76%
6. Kottukulangara- Kollam Bypass- 55%
7. Thalappadi- Chengala- 74.7%
8. Ramanattukara-Valanchery Bypass- 80%
9. Valanchery Bypass-Karippad- 82%
10. Karippad- Thalikulam (49.7%)
11. Thalikulam-Kodungallur- 43%
12. Paravur-Kottukulangara- 44.4%
13. Kollam Bypass-Kadampattukonam- 50%
14. Kadampattukonam-Kazhakoottam- 35.7%