First phase of Althara-Attakulangara smart road project work starts

The first phase of the Althara-Attakulangara stretch through Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud and Killipalam in Thiruvananthapuram has started. The work is a part of the Smart Road Project under the Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited (SCTL). Phase 1 would upgrade the stretch between Althara Junction and the Thycaud overbridge near the Government Hospital for Women and Children. The road from Thycaud to Attakulangara would be developed in the second phase. The construction work of utility ducts has begun near the Althara Junction, and the first phase is expected to finish within six months. However, three months is sufficient for the completion, but the shifting utilities, including KWA pipelines, sewer pipelines, might take three additional months. The 2.5-km road would get a huge upgrade by using concrete and streetlights on the median, and the cables would be underground. One side of the road would be open for traffic movement when work is under construction on the other side of the road. Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) is the implementing agency as the stretch is under the Public Works Department (PWD). A KRFB official told the media that the construction would begin completely within two weeks, and the traffic would be limited to one lane. Officials told the media that the Manaveeyam Road, which was closed for a while because of the Smart Road development, would be open for the public in the next 15 days. The residents have been demanding the widening and beautification of the 2.5-km stretch from Althara to Thycaud Mother and Children Hospital. The government gave the Trivandrum Development Authority (TRIDA) responsibility for land acquisition, installing streetlights, and constructing a median. Earlier, the plan was to widen the Sri Moolam Club-Xanadu Junction and Amman Kovil Junction-Thycaud hospital stretch. The road was to be built following the Indian Roads Congress's guidelines. However, it never moved forward due to legal issues, and later, the stretch was merged with the proposed Smart road project. The R K Madani Group is constructing roads in the city under the KRFB and the PWD. Image Source Also read: Half of smart road works in Thiruvananthapuram to be completed by Feb