Construction on the NH 66 Kazhakkoottam stretch in Thiruvananthapuram is set to be expedited, while the state will pursue Union government approval for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road within a month, decisions taken at a review meeting on the highway project showed.
The meeting reviewed work between Enchakkal and Kazhakkoottam and was led by transport minister C P John, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and MLA V Muraleedharan. Officials also discussed drainage blockages along the highway stretch, which have affected the area during the ongoing construction.
The district collector, Anju K S, was directed to arrange fire and rescue services to clear the blockages in the drainage system. The direction places immediate responsibility on district authorities to address the obstruction while work on the highway continues.
A key decision concerned the Enchakkal crossway, where the number of spans will be increased from five to 13. The meeting also decided to construct as many spans as possible instead of relying on earth filling for the approach road. According to the decisions taken at the review, the change is intended to support smoother and safer traffic movement in the area.
The revised crossway design is also expected to improve access to the proposed KSRTC depot at Enchakkal. The project’s implementation will involve coordination between the National Highway Authority of India, the district administration and other departments involved in the highway works.
NHAI regional officer A K Janpaz, the district collector and heads of various departments attended the meeting. The review comes after construction on the Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam stretch remained stalled for several months because of shortages of construction materials and labour.
The supply of soil and rock required for the project was affected by restrictions imposed by Tamil Nadu on transporting construction materials from the state. Nearly 70% of the work on the stretch has been completed, according to the report reviewed at the meeting.
Pune-based RKC Infrastructures Pvt Ltd is executing the project after the previous contractor, RDS Projects Ltd, withdrew from construction activities. The current contractor had earlier indicated that full-fledged construction activities would resume by the second week of November.
The proposed Outer Ring Road remains subject to approval from the Centre. The meeting decided to pursue that approval within a month, making the Union government’s response the next formal milestone for the project. Further progress on the NH 66 stretch will depend on the restoration of material supplies, labour availability, drainage clearance and the resumption of full-scale construction activity.
