Decision on four-laning of NH bypass soon.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) will take a call on awarding the work to convert the 26.7-km stretch of the National Highway 66 bypass from Kazhakuttam to Mukkola into a four-lane carriageway by middle of this month.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the scrutiny of the technical and financial bids submitted by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) and Hyderabad-based KNR Constructions Ltd.

The scrutiny of the financial bid has found that Hyderabad firm has quoted the lowest rate for the work to be taken up under Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) contract. 'The file is before the MORTH now and the ministry is to take a decision on the EPC contractor in 10 days', official sources said.

Under the EPC mode, the Union government will bear the cost of development of 26.7 km and road-users will not have to pay any toll. The NHAI has fixed 24 months target for completing the first reach.

THE HINDU