National Highway work gains speed in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The land acquisition for National Highway development in the state is being speeded up as desired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The award of work in Kasargod is yet to take place and land acquisition will be initiated by October - November and work will be kicked off during February–March.  Mr K. Biju has been appointed as special officer for land acquisition.

At a review meeting, Mr Vijayan assessed the progress in the work relating to  Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur airports, railway and NH.    The survey and  notifications are progressing in  the Kannur stretch. The  state government has already approved  the alignment works in Kannur. A top PWD   official told DC that revenue officials and collectors in Kasargod and Kannur were working on a war- footing.

“Recently,  the chief minister had held meetings with Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and they are keen on speeding up the works,” said the official.

In Kannur, the government hopes  to complete the land acquisition by January. The Kozhikode collector has been asked to complete the land acquisition by April.

In the case of four-laning Thalassery – Mahe bypass, the tender  is before the union surface transport ministry.  The tendering process for  Kozhikode bypass,  the first to be fully funded by the state government,   will end on September 15.  The alignment for NH in Malappuram and Thrissur will be finalised by the state government within a week. Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram  alignment has already been approved.

“A detailed 3D survey is currently being prepared and the 3A notification to procure land in Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram is being issued. With the appointment of Biju as special officer, the NH development work is progressing,”  said a  PWD official.