Economic panel denies clearance for Kerala NH tendering

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tendering process for  NH 17 and NH 47 works are being postponed due to non-clearance from the cabinet committee on economic affairs. The NH projects which require more than Rs 1,000 crore need the clearance of the union cabinet.

Land acquisition has been delayed although chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had taken the initiative to end the stalemate. 

PWD minister G. Sudhakaran had told DC that  the  NH 17 and NH 47 works can be resumed only by next year. 

The work on the Cherthala – Kazhakkoo-ttam stretch under  NH 47 has not gained momentum due to the issues created  by the National Highway Authority of India.“The delays caused by NHAI and red-tapism in the state government are hindering the progress,”  said a  PWD official.

Currently, Rs 35–Rs 40 crore is required for developing a km of stretch of the state highway.  

Former Planning Commission member B.K. Chaturvedi, who headed the committee for determining the execution mode of the road projects,  had envisaged only Rs 13 crore.