NH bypass tarring under way.

The tarring of the NH-66 bypass stretch from Kazhakuttam to Mukkola is in its preliminary stage.

The work, commenced nearly a week ago, has been completed along a distance of around 600 metres.

According to an official, the target is to tar 2.5 kilometres till Technopark within a month, with minimal disruption of traffic.

More progress could have been attained had it not been for the material shortage that is beginning to affect the project, he said.

Besides striving to overcome the impasse over earth excavation from Akkulam, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was pursuing alternative options to ensure that the project did not go off planned track.

The construction of a bridge, parallel to the existing one at Akkulam, was also gaining pace.

Over 20 piles out of the total 90 have been constructed.

The ongoing work near the tail end of the stretch at Mukkola was also progressing. The construction of a 4-km-long retaining wall was nearing completion.

The formation of the sub-grade along the same distance was also progressing simultaneously. The trees along the Chakka-Kovalam stretch are expected to be cut within two weeks.

The decision to entrust the contractor, K.N.R. Constructions Ltd., with the work was made after an attempt made by the NHAI to auction the trees online came to a naught. The process did not attract any bidders.

THE HINDU