The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently finalised the contract for the proposed two-laning of the 121-km Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway-85 section from Kochi to Munnar. The 121-km length of the narrow NH-85 that runs between Kochi (Kundannoor) and Munnar will be converted into a two-lane highway as part of a Rs 7.90 billion project. The work will begin in January 2023 and will be finished in 30 months, by mid-2025. The corridor will include paved shoulders and retention walls along the stretch to prevent landslides. Landslips frequently occur in the mountains over which the road runs, necessitating significant investment in often ineffective damage-control measures. The completion of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi NH-85 project, which is the main entry point for tourists travelling to Munnar from Kochi, is likely to boost tourism. Contact: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Tel: 011-2507 4100 Website: www.nhai.gov.in