DPR to be prepared for upgrade of 192.8-km coastal roads

The State has been asked by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the upgrade of 192.8 km of coastal roads under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

The Public Works Department (PWD) would prepare the DPR for improving connectivity to eight of the 17 intermediate and minor ports in the State, official sources told The Hindu.

The Centre’s outlay for improving the 192.8-km road connectivity to the ports is Rs. 2,745 crore. Bharatmala Pariyojana is a Centrally funded road and highways project.

The State will have to bear the cost of land acquisition as per the understanding reached with the MoRTH in the high-level meeting attended by the Principal Secretary, PWD. The acquisition will not be a problem as administrative sanction has been issued and funds will be managed from the KeralaInfrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

The State is relieved as it could save over ₹2,500 crore as the roads identified are part of the 656.5-km coastal highway that will pass through nine districts. The Right of Way (ROW), an average six to eight metres now, of the roads will go up to 12 m after the upgrade.

The 15.7 km from Poovar to Chovara and Chovara to Kovalam Junction leading to Vizhinjam port; 22.3 km from Mayyanadu beach to the port and Thankassery to Neendakara in Kollam; and the 26.2-km stretch from Payikulangara to Bypass and the SH-Alappuzha Bypass intersection to the Mararikulam beach in Alappuzha will be developed.

The 13.3-km stretch from Saudiya to Fort Kochi and Vypeen to Matsyafed Tourist Office; and the 29.3-km stretch from Matsyafed Tourist Office to Munambam and from Munambam to the Kara beach will be developed. The 38.1-km from MES College Junction to Padinjrekkara and to Ottumpuram will be widened for ensuring hassle-free connectivity to Ponnani port.

In the case of Beypore port, the 21.5-km upgrade of the road from the Mudhiyam beach to the Madhura bazaar and to Chullikad will be upgraded. The widening of 26.4 km from Payyambalam to Azhikkal and to Puthuvalappu will be taken up to improve connectivity to the Azhikkal port. No time frame has been given for the submission of the DPR and the process to prepare the DPR would begin soon, sources said.

THE HINDU