Kozhikode: The six-laning of the Ramanattukara-Vengalam stretch of National Highway 66 is facing delays due to shortage of soil. Work in several areas has been stopped due to public protests against soil excavation, while delays in finding new land sites have also contributed to slow progress.
In one instance, a lorry carrying soil from Pulikal of Malappuram district was stopped by locals on the public road, who alleged that it aggravated dust pollution. Soil excavation on private land near this too had to be stopped due to public protests.
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At Pantheerankavu, mining was stopped since the lorry damaged a few drinking water pipes. Protests also stopped mining at Atholi. An attempt is also being made to take soil from another place at Atholi itself, but the order for this is expected to take a few days to obtain.
The procedures for soil mining take time to complete. For instance, it takes up to four months to get an order from the Taluk Surveyor.
Other works related to bypass construction are progressing rapidly. All the girders have been installed on the Ramanattukara side. Slab work on the girders installed in the Thondayad bypass will start immediately. Girders have been completely installed in one part of Palazhi, and work is progressing on the other side. Crash barriers and drainage constructions are also underway.
However, lack of soil is a major setback to the completion of the project by December 2024, as announced by the authorities.
Published: 24 Sept 2023, 07:02 pm IST
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