Kovalam-Karode national highway works pick up pace

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second phase of the Kazhakoottam- Karode NH bypass work has picked up momentum with the levelling of land reaching an end between Kazhakoottam and Karode. Larsen and Toubro has been given the contract to start four lane road construction here from mid July. However, minor delays over cutting of trees in Kottukal panchayat are being sorted out. The highway will pass through Kanjiramkulam, Thirupuram and Chenkal panchayats before ending at Karode.

Around Rs460 crore will be given to 1769 people in panchayats like Kottukal have already received the compensation. Sanctions have to be given to cut some more trees by the forest department. Talking about delays in timely completion of the first phase of the project from Kazhakoottam to Karode, the officials pointed to the dearth of raw materials.

"The levelling of land is progressing fast and has reached around Thiruvallam bridge. We are looking at the judicious use of red earth which has become a scarce commodity. It will be sourced from other districts," a revenue official said.
Earlier, the project was affected when environmentalists opposed sourcing red earth from Akkulam hills within the district.

Allegations are rife about discrepancies in the alignment of the highway. The alignment was allegedly tweaked to prevent acquisition of land belonging to a revenue official and a probe is in progress.