New specifications throw a wrench in Kochi Greenfield bypass work

Greenfield NH is proposed to extend the NH 66 bypass and Adappally -Ancamaly NH 544 on the deck. |Picture source: File Photo

The tender for NH projects worth Rs 1,000 crore or more is not yet awarded NH projects must be approved by the joint cabinet, which raises concerns that the 44-km long Kundannoor – Angamaly-Angamaly Kochi Kochi bypass of NHAI, as for which the way the boundary line is laid may experience further delays.

The land acquisition process for the Greenfield NH project began in the last quarter of 2024, with delays since then mainly due to the Center’s requirement that the project be exempt from raw materials and royalties for the state GST.

Official sources said the union cabinet needed to provide new approvals for the ambitious Greenfield NH under the new norms, an ambitious NH proposal to extend the Edappally-aroor NH 66 bypass and Edapply-Andapply-Angamaly NH 544. This is because there is currently no new NH project under the Bharatamala Pariyojana plan, which aims to accelerate the development of the NH corridor.

Interestingly, the Adappally-Aror NH 66 Bypass also happens to be the busiest NH extension in Kerala, using it over 10,000 passenger car units a day. It is also Kerala’s only NH 66 extension yet. Concerns about delays in implementing the proposed Greenfield Cochy, sources said they hope the project will go as planned, as approval from the union cabinet is part of the daily procedures that must be followed thereafter. The Cabinet recently approved several NH projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore.

They added that the new norms also state that Union Road Transport and Expressway (MORTH) can decide on projects worth less than Rs 100 crore by themselves.

Hibi Eden, Ernakulam MP’s reaction to this development, said MPS and MLA through their constituency through the Koji pathway will convene a meeting on April 23 at Ernakulam Collectorate to seek clarity of the project and lay the boundary line and other ongoing work that is underway for updates.

Kundannoor – Saji Kudiyirippil, general convener of the Angamaly National Highway Bypass Action Committee, said the process of laying boundary stones should be accelerated.

Sources in the revenue sector said that over 50% of the proposed NH corridor, especially the boundary line from Angamaly to Patimattom, was laid intact, except for a village along the route. The process is expected to be completed by May 10.