Konkan Railway to do DPR for Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel route
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 23: Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today announced that the State is going to witness massive development in terms of road infrastructure with several projects being launched as part of the Rebuild Kerala programme. He also informed that the government has appointed the Konkan Railway Corporation as the special purpose company for the Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel route project.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said, “This government is moving forward with quality assurance, use of new technology and a corruption-free regime for road construction. It is a great achievement for the LDF government that we have been able to free the public works sector from political corruption. Moreover, this government is not willing to postpone projects or compromise on quality just because of the lack of funding for any project in the State”.
An alternative route from Kozhikode to Wayanad has been a long pending demand as the present route via Thamarassery pass becomes unnavigable due to natural calamities and traffic jams. During heavy rains, the traffic is often disrupted for months. “The solution is to build a 7.82 km long tunnel road from Anakampoil to Meppadi via Kalladi. The length of the tunnel will be 6.9 km. Rs. 658 crores have been sanctioned for the project with funding from KIIFB. Konkan Railway Corporation, which has proven expertise in tunnel construction, will submit a Detailed Project Report after the necessary studies. The government would initiate the next step based on the DPR”, the CM said.
Modernisation of Alappuzha-Changanassery Road
The Chief Minister today informed that a project of Rs. 625 crores have been prepared to upgrade Alappuzha – Changanassery Road which is the lifeline of the people in Kuttanad area The AC Road connecting Alappuzha and Kottayam districts is submerged in water every year during monsoons. The project will be implemented under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
“Overbridges will be built at five of the most waterlogged locations. Causeways will be built at nine locations. Narrow bridges will be widened and 13 culverts will be rebuilt. The proposed route will also have facilities to make night travel safer”, the CM added.
Reconstruction of Shankhumukham Road
The reconstruction work of Shankhumukham Road in Thiruvananthapuram has been started by including it in the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. According to the design of the Central Road Research Institute, a 260-meter concrete diaphragm wall will be constructed in the first phase. An administrative sanction of Rs. 4.29 crores have been given for this along with Rs. 1.1 crores for the road reconstruction.
The CM also said that the Alappuzha bypass, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs.225 crores, will be completed by November. The length of the bypass from Komati to Kalarkot is 6.8 km. the Kundannur (780 m) and Vyttila (700 m) flyovers being built on the Ernakulam bypass are in the final stages of construction. Both flyovers will be open to traffic in December. The Kundannur flyover will cost Rs 88.77 crores and the Vyttila flyover Rs 113 crores.
Other works – Sabarimala roads & PWD bridges
An administrative sanction of Rs. 225 crores have been given for the modernization of major roads and allied roads going to Sabarimala. There are 62 tasks coming under this scheme and the work will begin in October.
The construction of the Peruman Bridge at a cost Rs 42 crores across the Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam district will begin in November. The construction of 38 bridges under the Public Works Department will begin by November. Meanwhile, the work on 28 other bridges will be completed before November.