KOCHI: National Highway 66, which connects the northern and southern parts of Kerala, will pave the way for a boom in the sectors of commerce, industry and tourism in addition to infrastructure development. The National Highway, which connects ports including Vizhinjam, is also expected to benefit shipping and freight movement.

The 1,640-km long National Highway 66 starts in Panvel in Maharashtra and ends in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Of the 678-km stretch from Kasaragod Thalappadi to Thiruvananthapuram Karodu, 450 km has been completed in Kerala. The target is to complete it by June 2026. The completed reaches will be inaugurated in January.

Beneficial for Vizhinjam and Kochi

Major ports such as Vizhinjam and Kochi International Container Terminals and international airports are connected to National Highway 66. Small ports of Kollam, Kozhikode and Kannur are also located near the route. Containers arriving in large ships at Vizhinjam and Kochi ports can be delivered to their destinations quickly. The movement of goods through small ports will also be boosted.

Industrial corridor will be strengthened

National Highway 66 connects Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. The industrial corridor will be established on NH 544 from Kochi Edappally to Walayar. National Highway 66 will also boost the enterprises in this section, especially in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. The road will also benefit the IT parks in Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. Office bearers of various industrial and commercial organizations said that the proximity of the National Highways will also benefit the tourism, health, real estate, industry and logistics sectors.

National Highways connecting with 66

Malaparamba - Kollegal 776

Ramanattukara - Palakkad 966

Cheranalloor - Vallarpadam 966A

Edappally - Salem 544

Kundannur - Thondi 85

Kundannur - Cochin Port 966B

Chavara - Vandiperiyar 183A

Kadavur - Kumily 183

Kallumthazham - Thirumangalam 744