KOCHI: The Thrissur Expressway Limited, the contractor of the Kuthiran tunnel project, has informed the High Court that the construction of the tunnel on the right side on the Thrissur-Wadakkencherry road will be completed by March 31 and handed over to the National Highways Authority. The company explained that work on the next tunnel could only be done if traffic was diverted through the other tunnel. However, the lawyer for the National Highways Authority said that even if the construction of a tunnel is completed, traffic will be allowed only after conducting a safety check. He also informed that its time limit cannot be stated.

Although Dr Sivakumar Babu, an expert from IIT appointed by the National Highways Authority, has submitted a draft report on the safety of the tunnel, further scrutiny is required to prepare a detailed report. The petitions were adjourned to February 26 as the National Highways Authority sought time to submit the draft report to the court.