Easy way to Kasaragod; survey stone laying for the coastal highway to begin this month

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The laying of survey stones for the land acquisition for the coastal highway, one of the dream projects of the previous LDF government, will start in mid-August. The Revenue Department has issued a 6 (1) notification for this. The length of this road from Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram to Thalappady in Kasarkode is 468 km. The distance from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod via National Highway 66 is 574 km. The major advantage of the coastal highway is that it is 106 km shorter than the national highway.

The coastal highway will also speed up the movement of goods as it will connect and pass through the ports of Vizhinjam, Kollam and Vallarpadam. Apart from the development of the coastal region, the tourism sector will also progress.

The action got speeded up after KIIFB changed its initial stance that it wouldn't allocate money for land acquisition. After review, a detailed project report prepared by the Kerala Road Fund Board will be submitted to KIIFB. Final approval may be given after KIIFB representatives visit the site.

The aim is to acquire the land with the help of MLAs of 44 constituencies belonging to the districts through which the road will pass. Former minister G Sudhakaran had inaugurated the construction of the first stretch of the coastal highway in Malappuram district on March 10, 2019, with the aim of completion in 2022. However, no further action was taken.