New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and discussed about various development projects in the state.

As many as 11 roads in Kerala would be included for upgradation under the second phase of the ambitious Bharatmala project. Besides, a stretch of Kannur airport road would be upgraded into national highway, according to a release issued by Kerala government after the meeting held in the national capital.

A ministry official said Gadkari and Pinarayi Vijayan discussed the status of various development projects being implemented in the state.

A programme for the highways sector, Bharatmala project focuses on optimising efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps. This is being done through effective interventions including development of economic corridors, inter corridors and feeder routes, coastal and port connectivity roads.

A ring road will be constructed covering 80 km stretching from Thiruvananthapuram Parippally to Vizhinjam. The new project will be implemented considering the financial scope of Vizhinjam port. The government estimated Rs 4500 cr for the project which aims at complete growth of Thiruvananthapuram city.

Kerala demanded that National Highway Authority should take up the project and allot fund. The state will share 50 percent of expenditure on land acquisition.

On Tuesday, Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri and Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Roads under 2nd phase of Bharatmala

  1. 50 km road from Alappuzha (NH 47) to Changanassery-Vazhoor-14th mile (NH220)
  2. 23 km road from Kayamkulam (NH 47) to Thiruvalla junction (NH 183)
  3. 45 km road from junction near Vijayapuram (NH 183) to junction near Oonnukkal (NH 85)
  4. 50 km road from junction near Kalpetta (NH 766) to Mananthavady
  5. 17 km road to extend NH 183 A till Titanium, Chavara
  6. New NH to link NH 183 A to Pamba.216 km road in Iluvankal
  7. 72 km road in Thiruvananthapuram-Thenmala
  8. 57 km road connecting Hosdurg-Panathur-Bhagamandala-Madikeri (road via Kerala)
  9. 28 km road via Cherkkala-Kalladka (road via Kerala)
  10. Wadakanchery-Pollachi road
  11. Vizhinjam-Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road connecting Thiruvananthapuram international sea port

(With added inputs from PTI)