Capital devpt meeting decides to fast track NH 66 works and to secure Centre’s nod for Thiruvananthapuram ORR

Thiruvananthapuram: Construction work on the Kazhakkoottam stretch of National Highway 66 is set to be expedited soon while a decision has been taken to pursue Union govt approval for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR) project within a month. The decisions were taken at a review meeting convened to assess the progress of NH 66 works between Enchakkal and Kazhakkoottam. The meeting was led by transport minister C P John, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and MLA V Muraleedharan. The meeting directed district collector Anju K S to arrange fire and rescue services to clear blockages in the drainage system along the NH 66 stretch. The drainage issues have been among the concerns affecting the area. A major decision was also taken to improve the Enchakkal crossway by increasing the number of spans from five to 13 to ensure smoother and safer traffic movement. Instead of relying on earth filling for the approach road, the meeting decided to construct as many spans as possible. The move is expected to improve access to the proposed KSRTC depot at Enchakkal and ease traffic movement in the area. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) regional officer A K Janpaz, the district collector and heads of various departments attended the meeting. Meanwhile, construction on the Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam stretch of NH 66 had remained stalled for several months owing to shortages of construction materials and labour. Restrictions imposed by Tamil Nadu on transporting soil and rock from the state had affected the supply of raw materials required for the project. Nearly 70% of the construction work on the stretch has been completed. Pune-based RKC Infrastructures Pvt Ltd is currently executing the project after the previous contractor, RDS Projects Ltd, withdrew from construction activities. The contractor had earlier indicated that full-fledged construction activities would resume by the second week of Nov.Stay updated with the latest Thiruvananthapuram news. Download the TOI App.