THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) chairman Santosh Yadav will hold talks with Chief Secretary Dr.V.Venu on Tuesday seeking the government's cooperation to speed up the construction of NH-66.

The contracting companies had informed the NHAI officials that the construction of the national highway was getting delayed due to the non-availability of construction materials including sufficient soil. The contractors are demanding that there should be relaxations in the government conditions in supplying the construction materials. NHAI officials held discussions with contract company representatives on Monday.

The aim is to complete the construction of the national highway by November next year. The contracts were awarded with the condition of completion of construction in 2025.

Out of the 23 reaches from Thalappady in Kasaragod to Karode in Thiruvananthapuram, six reaches have been completed and opened for traffic. Work is in progress on the remaining seventeen reaches.

Meanwhile, the state will seek more help from the central government on the ring road. The state government wants relaxation in the proposal that the state should bear 50% of the money for the land acquisition of the ring road. The state government bears 25% of the money for the land acquisition for the construction of the national highway. In Tuesday's discussion, the Chief Secretary will convey the demand that the same method should be followed in the case of the ring road.