Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday (October 1) reviewed the progress of 21 ongoing National Highway projects spanning 747 km in Kerala. The central government is actively expanding national highways across the country. In January, Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 12 National Highway projects, covering 105 km and worth over Rs 1,464 crore.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, these projects aim to improve connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing costs. Additionally, addressing black spots on national highways is expected to significantly reduce road accidents.
The ministry highlighted that these projects will create substantial employment opportunities, contributing to Kerala’s socio-economic growth. Improved access to Munnar is also expected to boost tourism, while the construction of a high-level bridge will eliminate a 27-kilometer detour during floods, facilitating smoother travel and aiding the export of Kerala’s products.
Ongoing highway projects in Kerala
Eight major projects, totaling 198 km and costing Rs 4,043 crore, are currently at various stages of development, while detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared for 1,290 km of highways, estimated at Rs 27,650 crore. Under the Setu Bharatam initiative, four rail overbridges (ROBs), worth approximately Rs 200 crore, have been identified.
Some key projects in Kerala include the Thiruvananthapuram Bypass, Thalassery-Mahe Bypass, and the Kuthiran Tunnel. Three major Greenfield National Highway projects are also planned, including the four-laning of the Palakkad-Kozhikode section of NH-966, the Kochi to KL/TN border section of NH-85, and the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottarkarra-Kottayam-Angamali section of NH-866.
Kerala govt to share 25% of land acquisition costs
In his response to the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari noted that Kerala’s government has agreed to share 25% of land acquisition costs, amounting to Rs 5,748 crore for 16 projects on NH-66. The state has already deposited Rs 5,581 crore. Additionally, Kerala will cover 25% of the Rs 4,440 crore land acquisition costs for three upcoming Greenfield projects.
The state also agreed to share 50% of the land acquisition costs, along with the full cost of service roads and GST exemptions, for the Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road.
Over the last five years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed around 160 km of highways in Kerala. India’s road network spans approximately 66.71 lakh km, the second largest in the world, with the National Highways stretching over 1,46,145 km.