THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A delegation of government officials and people’s representatives under MP Shashi Tharoor has promised byroads on both sides of the Kovalam-Karode stretch of the NH bypass. At a public meeting on Monday, speakers also promised adequate crossings to prevent the bypass from abruptly cutting access roads across various panchayats. The bypass work has been intermittently hit by protest from localites under the Karode-Kazhakoottam action council. As per the alignment, at certain locations, the bypass will be as high as 33 feet and runs over several panchayat, PWD roads.
Apprehensions lingered in Kanjiramkulam, Thiru-puram, Chenkal panchayat and Kottukal panchayat after the byroad was missing in a map depicting the alignment. “Mr Tharoor has said that he will go to New Delhi and return with the consent for the byroad on the entire stretch. Until then, the works on this stretch will remain frozen. Neyyatin-kara MLA K Anselan and NHAI project officials were present in the meeting which was attended by around 1000 local people,” said a member of the Karode Kazhakoottam action council. As per the original project, underpasses were to come at Punnakulam Chappath, Kanjiramkulam- Kizhiyoor, Vlathankara-Poozhikunnu, Pazhay-akada- Pottayilkada roads. Underpasses were to be built at Marappalam – Vengapotta, Kottukunnam- Pottayilkada and Chenkavila roads.
