KOCHI: The completion of the national highway construction will not only transform Kerala’s landscape but also provide a significant boost to the state’s development. As part of the national highway expansion, several junctions across Kerala have already undergone drastic changes, making them unrecognizable from their earlier state. Areas that once suffered from narrow roads and severe traffic congestion now witness smooth and swift vehicular movement. Exciting reports regarding the national highway development are emerging, bringing joy to the residents of Kochi.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to extend the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway on NH 66 up to Edappally in Kochi. This proposal is currently under the consideration of the NHAI. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had earlier confirmed that the central government was considering the possibility of extending the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway to Edappally. The 17-kilometer stretch between Edappally and Aroor, one of the busiest routes on the national highway, already features a four-lane road with service roads.

However, concerns are rising that traffic congestion in Kochi city may intensify when the new six-lane national highway is constructed. According to the NHAI, approximately 100,000 vehicles pass through this stretch daily, and this number is expected to increase once the highway construction is completed. This could potentially create a bottleneck situation, as the highway will have six lanes before and after the Aroor-Edappally stretch, but only four lanes in this specific section, worsening traffic congestion.

Since this area hosts numerous commercial establishments, acquiring land for expansion would be extremely costly. Due to these financial and logistical challenges, the construction of a six-lane highway through land acquisition is not feasible. Instead, authorities are considering the construction of an elevated highway on a single-column structure in the centre of the road. If this Rs 3,600 crore project becomes a reality, it will be the longest single-column elevated highway in India.

Currently, the major junctions between Aroor and Edappally have six-lane flyovers, and the proposed elevated highway will run parallel to these. However, reports indicate that the final decision on implementing the project might be delayed, as authorities are also evaluating alternative solutions.