KOZHIKODE: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) kickstarted the first phase of the four-laning of the NH corridors, coming under the 82-km- long Kannur-Vengalam stretch, on Tuesday. The NHAI officials measured the land from Vadakara required for the project, which is expected to be completed in two years.
The land acquisition procedures were earlier affected by the controversy over the 60-metre width of the NHs, which the NHAI reduced to 45 metres, as the highways in these areas pass through densely populated areas. The project aimed at upgrading the existing two lanes to four lanes, which involves the widening of the carriageway, realignment, construction of service roads, bypasses and new bridges.
The officials conducted the survey under police protection fearing a public protest. "We started the work with a survey starting from Moorad bridge in Vadakara and inspected the stones that were laid to mark the acquired land during the initial survey conducted three years back," said Mr Shamin Sebastine, Special Deputy Collector (NHAI), who headed the survey.
The existing road width between Kannur and Kozhikode differs widely. The NH-17 stretch passing through Mahe town is the narrowest with a width of 8 to 10 metres. It was after the NHAI top officials assured the chief minister to expedite the NH development works in the state a few days ago that the initial stage of the project was started in Malabar.
