Uncertainty looms over the ambitious Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Thiruvananthapuram as compensation to affected landowners and final approval for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) remain pending. The project, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving access to Vizhinjam International Seaport, was slated for a compensation rollout by 31 July. However, procedural bottlenecks and legal ambiguities have pushed the timeline further into uncertainty.
Despite earlier assurances following central-level discussions, state authorities have yet to secure a green light on the DPR. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are expected to visit Kerala next week to assess proposed route modifications, particularly through hilly terrain. These revisions could result in further deferrals of the DPR clearance, already under prolonged review. The delays have slowed momentum on what is viewed as a critical infrastructure link for the region. State public works department officials stated that the compensation process will begin only after the NHAI visit and a final go-ahead is received. However, affected landowners allege that land acquisition has begun without meeting required legal benchmarks. According to stakeholder representatives, 70 per cent landowner consent—mandated under public-private partnership (PPP) guidelines—has not been obtained. They also claimed the current 3A notification issued under the Land Acquisition Act is invalid, citing evidence acquired through Right to Information (RTI) applications that show no tangible progress over the past two years.
The ORR project is valued at Rs 147.67 billion and forms part of a larger strategic push to enhance urban transport resilience and economic activity through better port connectivity. Following a central government directive in December, the state had been instructed to update the DPR to reflect changes in mining laws and incorporate State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) exemptions. The revised DPR was submitted in January 2025 but has remained stuck in review. Local civic bodies and resident welfare committees have continued to press for clarity on timelines and compliance with legal protocols. The Janakeeya Samiti representing affected households claims officials have assured them of compensation post-DPR clearance. Meanwhile, the public works department maintains that necessary documentation and approvals are under active consideration and expects a resolution soon.
Urban planners say the repeated delays expose deeper systemic flaws in infrastructure governance, particularly in balancing urgency with legality. While the ORR remains critical for sustainable urban mobility and logistics efficiency, its progress will depend heavily on transparent stakeholder engagement and timely regulatory approvals. Until then, affected communities remain in limbo, and the broader development impact remains paused.
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