First concrete highway opens, easing travel in southern India

19 May 2023 CW Team

However, since the work on the section that continues in Tamil Nadu from Karode is not completed, vehicles can enter the neighbouring state via service roads that lead to Chenkavila on the Poovar-Kaliyikkavila road. Arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth flow of traffic from the main carriageway to the service roads.

A top NHAI official told a news publication that necessary arrangements have been made at the accident-prone Kanjiramkulam junction to avoid any mishaps. The area is prone to accidents as the motorway connects with the Balaramapuram-Poovar road at this point.

"We have installed warning signs in various places. Though we approached the NHAI headquarters to install a traffic signal at the junction, the request was rejected," the official said. Though the NHAI planned to open the section last year, the shortage of red sand, the issue of a stop memo from the Mining and Geology Department for taking soil from a quarry, the pandemic and local protests over the construction of drains and culverts in certain areas posed a hurdle in completing the project. L&T Construction was the contractor.

Meanwhile, the contract for the remaining work on the section from Karode to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu has signed between the NHAI and the contractor EKK Infrastructure three days ago. "It will take 30 days to complete the formalities. The work will commence next month," said T Velraj, project director, the NHAI Nagercoil division.

The work in Tamil Nadu came to a standstill after L&T Constructions ended the contract due to obstructions in the land acquisition process. The delay in commissioning the Tamil Nadu section is also expected to hamper the development prospects in the southern region of both states.

Also Read
Bengaluru-Chennai expressway likely to be ready by August
NHAI starts work on 56 km Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam route

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The long-awaited Mukkola-Karode motorway section, which is part of the Kazhakootam-Kerala-Tamil Nadu border NH66 bypass, was opened for traffic on Monday, May 15. The 16.3-kilometre road is the first reinforced motorway in the state. With the opening of the section, commuters from north Kerala can travel to Tamil Nadu via Kanyakumari without entering Thiruvananthapuram city. However, since the work on the section that continues in Tamil Nadu from Karode is not completed, vehicles can enter the neighbouring state via service roads that lead to Chenkavila on the Poovar-Kaliyikkavila road. Arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth flow of traffic from the main carriageway to the service roads. A top NHAI official told a news publication that necessary arrangements have been made at the accident-prone Kanjiramkulam junction to avoid any mishaps. The area is prone to accidents as the motorway connects with the Balaramapuram-Poovar road at this point. We have installed warning signs in various places. Though we approached the NHAI headquarters to install a traffic signal at the junction, the request was rejected, the official said. Though the NHAI planned to open the section last year, the shortage of red sand, the issue of a stop memo from the Mining and Geology Department for taking soil from a quarry, the pandemic and local protests over the construction of drains and culverts in certain areas posed a hurdle in completing the project. L&T Construction was the contractor. Meanwhile, the contract for the remaining work on the section from Karode to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu has signed between the NHAI and the contractor EKK Infrastructure three days ago. It will take 30 days to complete the formalities. The work will commence next month, said T Velraj, project director, the NHAI Nagercoil division. The work in Tamil Nadu came to a standstill after L&T Constructions ended the contract due to obstructions in the land acquisition process. The delay in commissioning the Tamil Nadu section is also expected to hamper the development prospects in the southern region of both states. Also Read Bengaluru-Chennai expressway likely to be ready by AugustNHAI starts work on 56 km Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam route

Resources

26 Jun 2026

G R Infraprojects Founder Vinod Agarwal Passes Away

Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Founder and Promoter of G R Infraprojects, has passed away. He had been associated with the company since its inception in 1995. His vision, determination and entrepreneurial acumen laid the foundation for the company and helped shape its growth into a leading name in India’s infrastructure sector.Agarwal served as Managing Director from 2008 to 2021 and later as Chairman and Whole-time Director from 2021 to 2025. He stepped down from the office of Director on 10 November 2025. During his leadership tenure, the company moved through significant phases of growth, operatio..

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

Infrastructure Urban

25 Jun 2026

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..