Kollam–Edamon highway widening: Centre open to proposal if Kerala govt provides land

Kollam: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured that the Centre will consider widening the Kollam–Thirumangalam National Highway into a four-lane road to the maximum feasible width if the Kerala government makes the required land available, MP N.K. Premachandran said.

The MP made the statement after meeting the Union Minister in New Delhi and urging him to widen the Chinnakada–Edamon stretch, which forms part of the national highway, to the maximum feasible width. During the discussion, Gadkari said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had once given in-principle approval for the Chinnakada–Edamon highway development project. However, it was later dropped because sufficient land was not available for widening.

The proposed Kadampattukonam–Edamon Greenfield Highway will not replace the existing Chinnakada–Edamon Highway. The new Greenfield Highway begins 26 kilometres from Chinnakada, where the existing highway starts. The existing route passes through urbanised areas such as Kundara and Kottarakkara, making it necessary to widen the road to the maximum feasible width.

The areas on both sides of the road are densely populated. Since the national highway has not been developed, commuters and the movement of goods continue to face significant difficulties. The MP urged the Centre to expedite the highway widening project.

Meanwhile, Gadkari earlier informed Congress MP Benny Behanan that procedures for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Kodungallur–Angamaly Bypass are currently underway, and the final alignment will be decided shortly.