NH construction: No prior permission required for soil extraction, says SC

Thiruvananthapuram: Following the Supreme Court decision to give concessions for soil extraction to companies which have already entered into contracts, National Highway construction activities in the State are set to resume. This includes 21 projects covering 701 kilometres of road renovation, including the six-laning of National Highway 66.

The Supreme Court's earlier ruling on March 21 had nullified a directive from the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment issued on March 28, 2020, which exempted the requirement for prior environmental clearance for soil extraction for road and pipeline projects. Following this, construction activities, especially NH 66, had faced a crisis.

Companies tasked with construction contracts ceased soil extraction from licensed lands. The renovation of NH 66, which was planned to be completed by 2025, also stopped with southern districts facing crisis the most.

Presently, only five reaches could be opened, with the construction progress on 20 reaches significantly delayed. The recent Supreme Court order, issued without overturning the previous ruling, has provided a concession by permitting excavation for projects sanctioned between March 28, 2020, and March 21, 2024. The court has also asked for a list of such projects.

For the ongoing construction of NH 66 from Kasaragod Thalappady to Thiruvananthapuram Kazhakootam, an estimated 2.75 crore cubic metres of soil will be required, with more amount required in coastal regions crossed by the highway.

Ernakulam Bypass, Kollam-Sengottai road: Clearance soon

State government is set to speed up clearance processes for the Ernakulam Bypass and Kollam-Sengottai roads by considering exemptions on GST for construction materials and royalties on stone and soil. A formal communication regarding the same will be sent to the National Highways Authority. This will facilitate the commencement of construction on both the projects by this year. The costs for land acquisition and construction will be fully taken over by the National Highways Authority.