The Union government has approved road infrastructure projects worth Rs 20.39 billion (Rs 20.39 bn) for Kerala following a meeting between the state Public Works Department minister P K Basheer and the Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari. The largest sanction was for Rs 16.63 bn to convert the Kadavoor–Aanjilimoodu section of the Kollam–Theni National Highway to a four-lane carriageway. The grant was presented as part of a package intended to boost regional connectivity and support economic activity across the state. Other approvals included a Rs 0.49 bn bridge across the Kabani River linking Perikkallur in Wayanad district with Bairakuppe in Karnataka, Rs 1.72 bn for improvement works on National Highway 966 between Ramanattukara and Chandranagar in Palakkad, and Rs 0.984 bn for works along National Highway 744. The Centre also sanctioned Rs 0.66 bn for upgrading the old National Highway 66 stretch connecting Kazhakkoottam and Balaramapuram, reflecting a mix of new construction and rehabilitation measures. Basheer indicated that the Union minister had given in-principle approval for proposed ropeway systems at Sabarimala, Munnar and Wayanad, which are intended to improve pilgrim and tourist access. He said approval for widening National Highway 185 between Adimali and Kumily is expected shortly and that revised alignments for the proposed Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha bypasses are likely to receive clearance in the near future. The announcements were described as part of continued coordination between state and central agencies to fast track key projects. Gadkari instructed officials at the National Highways Authority of India to prepare the detailed project report for an elevated highway linking Ramanattukara with Kozhikode International Airport, a step the ministry portrayed as aimed at easing congestion and supporting airport connectivity. Officials noted that timelines and funding mechanisms will be determined as the DPR process advances and that project implementation would follow statutory approvals and land acquisition processes. The state government indicated it would continue engagement with central agencies to ensure timely execution.