Construction of the elevated section of NH 66 at Muthakunnam, on the Ernakulam district boundary near Paravur, is progressing, but the proposed entry and exit points for the highway have not yet been finalised, according to a report by Mathrubhumi.
Work on the foundations of the elevated road pillars is under way in the area where NH 66 enters the district from the north. The tarred approach road carrying traffic south from the old Kottappuram bridge has been completely dismantled to enable construction at the base of the pillars. As a result, traffic on the main road has stopped entirely.
Vehicles travelling north and south are currently using completed service roads on both sides of the Kottappuram bridge. The diversion has resulted in persistent congestion near the junction where the Maliyankara road meets the service road, the report said.
The question of access to the highway has been under discussion with local authorities and the National Highways Authority of India. Following a request from a local action committee and a direction from the Chief Minister, NHAI officials visited the site and verbally assured the committee that an exit and an entry would be allowed at the location.
A team led by NHAI Project Director P. Pradeep later inspected the site. The local committee has sought a detailed drawing showing where the proposed entry and exit facilities will be built. The demand was raised again during a recent meeting between a delegation led by Action Council convener Shajith Manohar and Ernakulam District Collector G. Priyanka.
The delegation asked the collector to take steps to obtain the drawing quickly. The collector communicated the matter to NHAI officials at the time of the meeting. According to the report, the drawing is currently being prepared, but its details have not yet been made public.
Construction of the Muthakunnam–V.P. Thuruth major bridge is another unresolved part of the project. Work on the bridge has remained stalled for nine months after the pillars subsided, and construction has not yet resumed. The bridge must be completed before traffic from the north can use the new road through the proposed crossing, the report said.
The immediate traffic arrangement therefore remains dependent on the service roads, while local residents continue to seek clarity on the design and location of the NH 66 entry and exit points. The next stated step is the release of the detailed drawing by the highway authorities.
