Kochi-Theni greenfield highway project put on hold

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has put on hold the 45-m-wide greenfield highway corridor project linking Kochi and Theni.

The 151-km-long project was envisioned about a decade ago to decongest the 121-km-long NH 85 corridor between Kochi and Munnar, which begins at Kundannoor Junction on the NH Bypass here.

The greenfield corridor on NH 85 has not been dropped. It may take some more time to finalise the project, since a few technical and financial feasibility issues need to be sorted out. The technical issues include finalising the greenfield highway’s alignment through the ghat section and forest lands. The NHAI is currently facing a similar issue in widening a 12-km-long stretch of the existing NH 85, which is flanked by forest lands, it is learnt.

“At present, the focus is on developing the existing NH 85 by making optimal use of the available space on the mostly two-lane stretch,” official sources said. In the meantime, the NHAI has approved an additional ₹160 crore for the project to redevelop the existing NH 85 corridor.

“The additional funds will be used to ensure a minimum 10-m-wide carriageway along the entire stretch, undertake minimal land acquisition, and straighten curves wherever necessary. Moreover, paver blocks will be laid, among other places, in Munnar town. Four-laning has been planned at Adimali, while footpaths and handrails will come up at select locations. The funds will also be used to relocate pipelines. It is hoped that the redevelopment of the Kochi-Munnar stretch of NH 85 can be completed by December,” sources said.

Responding to widespread complaints from motorists and pedestrians about inadequate lighting, road and kerb markings on the congested and highly accident-prone Kundannoor-Pettah stretch, which falls within the limits of Maradu municipality and the Kochi Corporation, NHAI sources said steps would shortly be taken to provide road markings and strengthen road shoulders.

In addition, vendors and other encroachers occupying road shoulders and, at times, the tarred carriageway would be removed with the help of the police.