Seaport-Airport road gets a push

KOCHI: The state government’s plan to fund the second phase development of Seaport – Airport Road through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIFFB) will give an impetus to the project. After completion of Phase-I, the second phase was progressing at a languid pace due to delays in land acquisition and a shortage of funds. The project, once completed, is expected to decongest the national highway. During a review meeting works minister G. Sudhakaran convened on Friday, MLAs P.T. Thomas, Anwar Sadath and V.K. Ebrahim Kunju had sought steps to expedite road projects. Widening works are on along the HMT to NAD stretch.

The Phase II development is estimated to cost over Rs 660 crore of which about Rs 400 crore is required for land acquisition. Four-lane from Irumpanam to Bharat Matha College has to be constructed while land is yet to be acquired from Chowara to Nedumbassery (airport) stretch. The phase II development extends from HMT covering NAD, Mahilalayam and Chowara to reach the international airport. The 14 km stretch has been divided into three sections, from Kalamassery to Mahilalayam on the Aluva-Perumbavoor Road, Mahilalayam and Chowara on the Aluva-Kalady Road and Chowara and the international airport. The minister instructed the Roads and Bridges Corporation officials to submit a detailed project plan to KIIFB on the remaining works. It has also been asked to submit a report on the extent of land to be acquired for development of HMT junction, a major traffic bottleneck along the corridor.