Four reaches on NH 66 to be completed within three months; Kozhikode Bypass among those that will be completed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of four more reaches of National Highway 66 will be completed by April-May this year. With this, the number of reaches that will be completed will increase to ten. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed the National Highways Authority of India to expedite the construction of the remaining 13 reaches. The contractor companies hope that these reaches can be completed by next February-March.

The Kozhikode bypass from Ramanattukara to Vengalam is likely to be completed by May. 86% of the construction of the 28.4-km bypass has been completed. The bridges at Arapuzha, Mampuzha, Purakkattiri and Korapuzha are to be completed. Except for the 800-meter-long Korapuzha bridge, the construction of the rest is in the final stages. The contractor, Krishnamohan Construction Company (KMC) of Hyderabad, has informed the National Highways Authority that these will be completed by April.

The last to be completed on the route will be the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway in Alappuzha.

Construction completed

1. Pallikkara-Nileswaram
2. Thalassery- Mahé
3. Paloli Palam Bridge- Moorad
4. Kazhakoottam Elevated Highway
5. Mukkola- Kazhakoottam
6. Mukkola- Tamil Nadu Border

To be completed in April-May

1. Thalappadi-Chengala
2. Kozhikode Bypass
3. Ramanattukara-Valanchery
4. Valanchery-Kappirikad

Remaining

1. Chengala- Nileswaram
2. Neelswaram-Taliparamba
3. Taliparamba-Muzhippilangad
4. Azhiyur-Venkalam
5. Kappirikkad-Talikkulam
6. Talikkulam-Kodungallur
7. Kodungallur-Edappally
8. Thuravoor-Paravoor
9. Paravoor-Kottamkulangara
10. Kottamkulangara-Kollam
11. Kollam-Kadampattukonam
12. Kadampattukonam-Kazhakoottam
13. Aroor-Thuravoor Elevated Highway

Total construction cost of National Highway: 65,000 crores

"Collectors have been instructed to take necessary steps to ensure that the construction does not stall or get delayed''

- P.A. Muhammad Riyaz,

Public Works Minister