The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to make a significant decision regarding the proposed Kochi Bypass project. This follows the Kerala State government’s recent order, issued on July 17, which waives royalty on raw materials and Goods and Services Tax (GST) amounting to ₹424 crore for the 44-kilometre corridor. The inclusion of this project in MoRTH’s upcoming ventures list is now under consideration, according to informed sources.
Following this development, the long-anticipated 3A notification is expected, which is essential for completing the acquisition of 287 hectares of land required for the project. Initiated a decade ago, the Kochi Bypass aims to alleviate congestion on the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 bypass and the Edappally-Angamaly NH-544 stretch, both of which currently see over one lakh passenger car units (PCUs) daily. The notification will facilitate the final clearance for the proposed alignment, addressing critical junctures such as the crossing near the Sabari rail project in Angamaly.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), specifically the Palakkad project implementation unit, is slated to execute the six-lane greenfield corridor. This new route will connect Nettoor, located south of Kundannoor Junction on the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 Bypass, with Karayamparambu, situated off Angamaly on NH-544. Upon completion, this semi-access-controlled corridor is expected to spur development in the eastern parts of Ernakulam district.
In addition to securing a place in MoRTH’s project list, the Kochi Bypass project will see its detailed project report (DPR) and tender documents refined to meet revised construction norms. This preparatory phase is estimated to take around a month. Previously listed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana projects, construction of the Kochi Bypass could commence in the next fiscal year, contingent on all necessary approvals. Simultaneously, the Kollam-Sengottai greenfield NH 744 corridor, which has also faced procedural delays related to the waiver of royalty and GST, is expected to begin around the same time.
Over a year ago, the Kerala State government requested MoRTH to exempt it from contributing 25% of the land acquisition cost for both the Kochi Bypass and the Kollam-Sengottai NH 744 projects. MoRTH responded by seeking a Government Order to waive these costs. Due to the State’s delay in issuing this waiver, the NHAI had put these projects on hold earlier this year. As the State government addresses these procedural requirements, the Kochi Bypass project edges closer to realisation, promising to mitigate traffic congestion and catalyse economic development in the region.
