The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set May 2027 as the deadline for completing the six-laning of the Edappally-Kodungalloor NH 66 corridor.

This is one of the busiest and most densely populated corridors on the 570-km Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod NH 66 stretch. Work on the 30-km corridor had suffered delays due to the alleged delay in sourcing raw materials and public protests seeking more underpasses and service roads to cater for two-way traffic, as well as adequate drains to prevent flooding during rain.

Additional infrastructure

Heeding these demands, the NHAI has decided to construct five more underpasses, an additional 5.60 km of service roads, and a total of 4.30 km of additional viaducts for overbridges. The additional viaducts would be a substitute for soil-filled approach portions that had been planned initially for the bridges. The decision to construct the additional viaducts comes in the wake of substantial damage to the retention walls of many new bridges/flyovers on NH 66 stretches in Kerala, it is learnt.

The five new underpasses that have been proposed include two at Koonammavu, and one each at Thaikkavu (in Cheranallore), Pattanam, and Perumbadanna. These apart, ₹28 crore would be handed over to local bodies to construct additional drains on the Edappally-Muthakunnam stretch, official sources said.

They attributed the delay in commissioning a pair of flyover-cum-underpasses on the northern and southern sides of Edappally Junction to a revised plan to increase their length by 180 metres to enable the construction of a pair of additional pedestrian underpasses.

The NHAI ought to do more to help commuters from byroads safely access the NH or cross over to the other side, said Shimmy Francis, vice-president of Cheranallore grama panchayat. “The newly built six-lane corridor has in turn considerably reduced access from side roads that are owned by either the Public Works department or local bodies. Steps must be taken to widen them and their bell mouths as well, to enable easy access. There is also a need for a pair of vehicle underpasses at Cheranallore signal junction to prevent traffic snarls.”

In addition, the NHAI must widen narrow service roads and provide dedicated bus bays and waiting sheds for bus passengers along the NH corridor. Construction of service roads has come to a standstill at a few places due to disputes, he said.

Published - August 13, 2026 08:12 pm IST