Kerala’s long-standing demand for the elevation of 12 critical road stretches to national highway status has been caught in a bureaucratic freeze, leaving nearly 485 kilometres of vital routes in limbo despite earlier in-principle approvals from the Centre. These roadways, essential for interstate connectivity and regional logistics, remain state-administered, hindering both capital infusion and long-term planning amid mounting traffic volumes and infrastructure fatigue.
The proposal, initially greenlit in July 2020, was expected to be formally notified under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). However, with no official clearance to date, state officials are now urging the Centre to honour its commitment. In a recent communication to MoRTH, Kerala’s administration emphasised the urgency of the matter, citing the deteriorating condition of the roads and escalating congestion in densely populated urban and peri-urban regions. The state has also mobilised its elected representatives in Parliament to raise the issue during the current session, underscoring its significance. Adding to the concern is the Centre’s apparent withdrawal from the Kozhikode–Mysuru economic corridor project, which was initially conceived as a greenfield highway that would provide 24-hour interstate access while bypassing eco-sensitive zones like Wayanad and Bandipur. Officials in the state government have indicated that, after initial coordination with the forest department and alignment finalisation by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the project has seen no forward movement.
The stagnation has raised alarms in state infrastructure circles, particularly as the region remains reliant on existing corridors that are restricted during night hours due to environmental regulations. While Kerala has only around 580 kilometres of national highways under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, it is one of the most densely populated and vehicle-heavy states in the country. The inability to expand its national highway footprint through central schemes continues to stress the existing road infrastructure, raising safety concerns and logistical inefficiencies. To address this, the state has resubmitted 17 new road stretches spanning 1,054 kilometres for inclusion in MoRTH’s Vision 2047 Master Plan. Additionally, Kerala has pitched 14 strategic road projects totalling Rs 6,700 crore for consideration in the Centre’s current annual highway development plan. These include last-mile links, trade corridors, and high-density traffic routes that align with the state’s goal of building sustainable, low-emission transport infrastructure.
The state has argued that no significant national highway project has been sanctioned for Kerala through the PWD wing in the past four years—a period marked by increasing strain on its roads due to rapid urbanisation and industrial movement. Despite repeated submissions and follow-up meetings, the Centre’s silence on Kerala’s demands is being viewed as a concerning policy inertia. Officials maintain that these pending projects are integral not just to Kerala’s mobility ecosystem but also to India’s broader goal of achieving seamless regional connectivity and environmentally sound infrastructure development. If the current deadlock persists, Kerala’s national highway network risks being outpaced by demand, weakening its economic competitiveness and slowing its transition towards sustainable, inclusive urban growth.
National Highways Status For 12 Kerala Roads Remains Pending After Years Of Delay
