Cabinet Approves Rs. 83.98 bn Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road

08 Oct 2026 CW Team

The road, to be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will pass through 24 villages across six taluks: Varkala, Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad, Kattakada, Neyyattinkara and Thiruvananthapuram. The project is planned for completion in 30 months, subject to the environmental safeguards attached to the clearance.

About 314.05 hectares will be acquired, comprising 93.6 per cent private land and 6.39 per cent government land. The estimated land acquisition cost is Rs. 41.29 bn. The proposed right of way is 45 metres, widening to between 60 and 80 metres near tunnels, slip roads and their approaches.

The project is likely to require the felling of 21,000 trees and the displacement of 84 vulnerable species within the right of way. NHAI has proposed planting 210,000 trees, including Miyawaki plantations at the cloverleaf interchange, and may undertake plantations in forest areas if approved by the Forest Department because of space constraints along the road.

A biodiversity assessment by the Kerala Forest Research Institute identified roadkill hotspots and seven Schedule-I species, including the crested goshawk, black-headed ibis, spectacled cobra, Russell’s viper and Indian rock python. Its Rs. 12.7 mn conservation plan includes underpasses, viaducts, fencing, speed regulation, warning signs, animal detection systems and vegetation management. The project also includes about 17 tunnels, 50 viaducts with a cumulative length of 11.974 km, 17 minor bridges and two major bridges. The ministry has directed NHAI to re-examine the tunnel design and implement the recommended mitigation measures.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs. 83.98 bn Greenfield Outer Ring Road connecting Vizhinjam and Navaikulam in Kerala, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted environmental clearance for the 62.7-km project. The approval is expected to enable compensation disbursal and tendering to proceed simultaneously, ending prolonged uncertainty over the project. The road, to be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will pass through 24 villages across six taluks: Varkala, Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad, Kattakada, Neyyattinkara and Thiruvananthapuram. The project is planned for completion in 30 months, subject to the environmental safeguards attached to the clearance. About 314.05 hectares will be acquired, comprising 93.6 per cent private land and 6.39 per cent government land. The estimated land acquisition cost is Rs. 41.29 bn. The proposed right of way is 45 metres, widening to between 60 and 80 metres near tunnels, slip roads and their approaches. The project is likely to require the felling of 21,000 trees and the displacement of 84 vulnerable species within the right of way. NHAI has proposed planting 210,000 trees, including Miyawaki plantations at the cloverleaf interchange, and may undertake plantations in forest areas if approved by the Forest Department because of space constraints along the road. A biodiversity assessment by the Kerala Forest Research Institute identified roadkill hotspots and seven Schedule-I species, including the crested goshawk, black-headed ibis, spectacled cobra, Russell’s viper and Indian rock python. Its Rs. 12.7 mn conservation plan includes underpasses, viaducts, fencing, speed regulation, warning signs, animal detection systems and vegetation management. The project also includes about 17 tunnels, 50 viaducts with a cumulative length of 11.974 km, 17 minor bridges and two major bridges. The ministry has directed NHAI to re-examine the tunnel design and implement the recommended mitigation measures.

Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Faces Fresh Clearance Setback

Delhi to Haridwar in 1.5 Hours from Next Month

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

29 Oct 2026

Delhi to Haridwar in 1.5 Hours from Next Month

NHAI Shifts Highway Monetisation Towards InvITs in FY27

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

29 Oct 2026

NHAI Shifts Highway Monetisation Towards InvITs in FY27

Gold Stories

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

01 Oct 2026

When the Lowest Bid Comes at a Cost

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

01 Sep 2026

Tunnel Risk Radar

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

01 Sep 2026

Risk is the Roadblock

Technology

29 Oct 2026

Where Infrastructure Meets Intelligence: Inside Bentley's Year inc

Oct 28, 2026 @Tanveer PadodeA first-hand account of Bentley’s 2026 awards, where AI, digital twins and engineering innovation are reshaping infrastructure delivery.- By Tanveer Padode, CEO, IMPACCT: A first-hand account of Bentley’s 2026 awards, where AI, digital twins and engineering innovation are reshaping infrastructure delivery.Two days in SingaporeConstruction is won or lost in two places: how a project is designed and how it is delivered. Technology has promised to improve both for years, and the question I carried into Bentley's Year in Infrastructure, held at the Fairmont Si..

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2026

Vaishnaw Inaugurates Two Rail Sections in Madhya Pradesh

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on October 24 inaugurated the Satna-Devendranagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections under the Lalitpur-Singrauli Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh. He also flagged off the new Devendranagar-Churhat passenger train service through video conferencing. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav attended the event. The new Rewa-Churhat railway line, which extends approximately 65 km, was built at a cost of over Rs. 10 bn. The 53 km Satna-Devendranagar line was constructed at a cost of over Rs. 8 bn. The passenger service is expected to provide improved rail access to residents in..

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2026

Railways Minister to Inaugurate New Rail Sections Covering 118 km

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the Satna-Devendra Nagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections in Madhya Pradesh on October 24. The two sections have a combined length of 118 km and are intended to improve passenger and freight connectivity across the region. Vaishnaw will also flag off a new train service between Devendra Nagar and Churhat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the inauguration programme, according to information released by the Ministry of Railways. The 53-km Satna-Devendra Nagar section is expected to improve rail access to Satna, Nagod, Devendra..

Cabinet Approves Rs. 83.98 bn Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Where Infrastructure Meets Intelligence: Inside Bentley's Year inc

Vaishnaw Inaugurates Two Rail Sections in Madhya Pradesh

Railways Minister to Inaugurate New Rail Sections Covering 118 km

Related Articles

Latest Updates

Recommended for you

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address