Thiruvananthapuram: State Public Works Department (PWD) officials have said that National Highway development works are gaining momentum in the northern parts of the State.
Detailed Project Report on finalising the alignment issues from Cherthala-Thiruvananthapuram and Kuttipuram - Edapally are expected to be completed in a month’s time, they said.
Earlier, NHAI officials had claimed that they would start the work on NH development only if the State completes 80 per cent of land acquisition. authorities were in a fix when the district collectors experienced difficulty in acquiring land due to opposition from local residents.
When Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited New Delhi two months back, he apprised the Union surface transport officials of the difficulty in acquiring land. NHAI officials then decided that if 60 per cent of land acquisition is completed in the State, they would kick-off the development works within the current fiscal year.
“We have now decided to finish the tendering process towards the NH development work within this financial year. Delhi-based SMEC India Pvt Ltd has been given the contract to complete the DPR on the work between Kozhikode and Kasaragod,” a top PWD official told DC.
NH officials, under the PWD, are targeting to finalise the alignment issues on Cherthala – Thiruvananthapuram stretch by October. Chief Minister has taken a keen interest in completing the land acquisition in northern districts. This has led the company assigned to complete the DPR to speed up the work, officials say.
On Tuesday, a top NHAI official and board member, R. K. Pandey will inspect the work initiated from Kasaragod to Edapally on Tuesday. The alignment survey on Kuttippuram – Edapally stretch where is expected to be completes by September 15.
