The long-awaited bypass connecting Angamaly and Kundannoor is on the brink of becoming a reality, as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to review the project for approval in the coming week.

The project's progress is promising, with the National Highway Authorities indicating that the 3A notification for land acquisition could be issued shortly once MoRTH gives the green light. Additionally, the social impact assessment (SIA) study for land acquisition is poised to commence.

In January 2023, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) approved the alignment for the 44-kilometre-long bypass road. This route will initiate at Karayamparambu in the northern vicinity of Angamaly town and culminate at Kundannoor Junction on NH 66, set to be developed into a six-lane highway.

The bypass holds the potential to alleviate traffic congestion along the Aroor-Edappally stretch of NH 66 and the Edappally-Angamaly stretch of NH 544. Moreover, it is expected to ease traffic woes within the city by bypassing several major signal junctions on existing highways. Notably, the new road traverses sparsely populated villages, minimising the presence of major junctions.

The bypass's route encompasses Aluva, Kunnathunad, and Kanayannur taluks, intersecting key roads and highways like MC Road, Aluva-Munnar Road, and Aluva-Kothamangalam state highway, among others.

To facilitate this project, approximately 280 hectares of land across 17 villages will be acquired, with revenue authorities aiming to complete land acquisition procedures by year-end. Construction work is anticipated to commence once 90 per cent of the land is acquired.

Local MLA Roji John expressed optimism about the project's developmental impact, highlighting that land acquisition could start promptly upon MoRTH's concurrence. Construction activities for the road are slated to begin by March 2024.

Meanwhile, MoRTH has responded to social activists in Kochi, who have requested renaming the project as the 'Kochi bypass.' MoRTH indicated that this request will be forwarded to the project's DPR (Detailed Project Report) consultants for consideration.