Kottayam NH 183 Project To Get New Consultancy For Faster Delivery
The much-delayed expansion of National Highway 183 from Chengannur to Mundakayam is set for revival as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) prepares to appoint a new consultancy with a fixed timeline for delivery. The move aims to fast-track the highway’s four-lane development, a project crucial for central Kerala’s connectivity, economy, and sustainable mobility.
According to officials, the decision comes after the earlier agency appointed in 2016 failed to complete its assigned scope within the stipulated timeframe. The new consultancy will re-evaluate previous work, conduct fresh surveys where required, and prepare a comprehensive design blueprint, ensuring accountability and time-bound execution.
The proposed expansion holds significant importance for the central Travancore region, where rising traffic volumes and bottlenecks have long impeded mobility and economic growth. Experts emphasise that upgrading NH 183 is not just about faster travel but also about enabling greener transport modes, reducing fuel wastage in traffic snarls, and supporting the region’s eco-sensitive development goals.
The first phase of the project, stretching 54 km from the Kollam bypass to Anjilimoodu near Chengannur, involves a modern four-lane road with a 15-m-wide carriageway, central divider, footpaths, shoulder pavements, and utility ducts. The estimated investment for this section is ₹2,300 crore, with allocations spread across Kollam and Alappuzha districts. Land acquisition processes for this stretch are already under way, signalling a firm step forward. Officials also confirmed that the consultancy has prepared a preliminary blueprint for a bypass between Mulankuzha and Mannathippara to ease congestion in Kottayam town. The design considers sustainable urban transport practices by limiting road widening within dense areas and instead redirecting heavy traffic through bypass alignments.
Stakeholders have been assured that unlike earlier delays, the new consultancy will work under strict deadlines, with the transport ministry emphasising the need to prevent indefinite stalling. Local representatives have called for broader consultations with elected officials and communities before finalising alignments to ensure inclusivity and minimise disputes. The NH 183 expansion is expected to serve as a catalyst for balanced development in Kerala’s midlands, linking agricultural belts with ports, airports, and commercial hubs. More importantly, the project highlights how infrastructure expansion, when managed with accountability and sustainability, can strengthen both regional growth and environmental responsibility.
