New roads and industries change the face of an area. As the face changes, the way for development also becomes evident. Once the new roads being built from the northern to the southern edge of the state are finished, there will be tremendous development opportunities. Undeveloped areas are changing dramatically in several places as a result of the construction of new highways. When the works of the National Highway 66 are finished in three years, the state will be the venue for a significant advancement in infrastructure development. In addition to this, plans are also being made to build more national highways. Kollam–Sengottai Greenfield Highway, Kutta and Malappuram-Mysore Industrial Corridor. The big challenge is to complete all this in time.

Vizhinjam International Port, which is going to play an important role in the development of the Thiruvananthapuram district and thus the entire state, will soon become a reality. The first ship, carrying cranes to be installed in the port, has arrived at the port. The first phase of the port is expected to be operational by next May. It is the responsibility of the state government to ensure the necessary transportation facilities for transporting the containers and other goods unloaded at the port to different parts. Although the Kazhakoottam - Karode bypass is in place, the authorities have already realised the need for a new road to facilitate the movement of goods from Vizhinjam. It is for this purpose that a new outer ring road has been envisaged starting from Vizhinjam and passing through the eastern parts of the capital district to join the national highway at Navaikulam. Three-quarters of the area required for this road has already been surveyed and marked. Works have started in many places to demolish the buildings in the project area. Meanwhile, some anti-development groups also came forward against the ring road. However, the firm stand of the government will only deter them. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had stated in a press conference the other day that the process of acquiring the land for the road would begin immediately. If anyone still has doubts about the Outer Ring Road project, this statement by the Chief Minister will help clear their doubts.

The proposed road construction is a massive project worth Rs 6,000 crore. The notification issued last year regarding land acquisition will expire this month. So the notification will have to be re-issued. Authorities should complete all such technical procedures quickly. With the project getting delayed each day, the landowners of the notified areas are facing a huge crisis. The landowners cannot do anything on the land marked for the construction of the road. They may have many things to do after receiving compensation from the government. Some will need to buy another land and build a house there. Some may have to start over their businesses from scratch. People may have various things such as children's education and marriage. All these can be resolved only if the project gets operational as soon as possible. The highway authority has to accept the state's demand that the Centre should undertake the construction of service roads related to the ring road. There are other problems that need to be solved. With the Vizhinjam port becoming fully functional, it is necessary to ensure the transport facilities. Hence, the outer ring road should become a reality as soon as possible.