THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation for the Kazhakkoottam–Mukkola bypass on September 1.
Mr Gadkari and Pon Radhakrishnan, Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping, will be attending the ceremony at 10 am at Kazhakkoottam.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will preside the meeting in the presence of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
However, public works minister Ebrahimkunju’s name does not figure on the National Highway Authority of India's invitation.
The work of the four-lane bypass is expected to be completed in 24 months. It will have three major and five minor bridges, two underpasses, two overpasses, a rail overbridge and a toll plaza near Akkulam bridge.
The land acquisition was completed 40 years ago on this 26.5 km stretch. The total project cost is Rs 845.24 crore. The Rs 669.06 crore civil contract was awarded to M/S KNR Constructions Ltd, Hyderabad under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode. “Twice, it was awarded under BOT mode which had to be abandoned owing to public pressure,” said a top NHAI official.
Mr Gadkari is also expected to hold talks with Mr Chandy, Mr Ebrahimkunju and top PWD and NHAI officials to end the stalemate over the NH 17 and NH 47 development.
The issues are currently being tabulated by the NHAI officials for the first sitting of the chief secretary-headed high-level committee appointed by Gadkari. The detailed project report (DPR) prepared by NHAI for the development of NH 17 and 47 in 2002 is being updated.
The meeting will be held in the first week of September. “The regional office of NHAI at Chennai has been asked to upgrade the DPR,” said a top PWD official.
