Bypass will be ready by January 2016.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has completed 40 per cent of the work on the Vengalam-Pooladikkunnu stretch of the new Kozhikode bypass road, signalling an early completion of the project.

Though the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, which is entrusted with the work, has been allotted two years to finish the project, officials say that the entire bypass road will be built by January 2016.

The completion of the five-km stretch of the bypass is crucial as it includes two major bridges at Korappuzha and Purakkattiti. Officials say the piling work of the bridges is almost complete.

Mohammed Iqbal, Executive Engineer with the National Highways division of the PWD, says that the government will spend Rs. 18 lakh for the completion of these two mega bridge projects, which will alleviate the heavy traffic on the existing Korappuzha bridge that is already weak. For the completion of the entire stretch of the road, the government has sanctioned Rs. 142 crore, he adds.

On completion, the Kozhikode bypass road will be 28.12 -km long from Pooladikkunnu to Idimoozhikkal. Superior drainage facilities and culverts too will be ensured along the way for its better protection. At present, 23 km has been completed and opened for traffic.

It was on September 1, 2014, that the work on the final stretch of the bypass was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. For its fast completion, the government had listed it under the Speed Kerala projects.

Along with the completion of the bypass road, the PWD will have to look into the construction of a few approach roads as well along the route as some of the residents’ forums and people's action councils have come up with the complaint that they are not getting direct access to the elevated road.


THE HINDU