Kerala’s Seaport-Airport Road second phase delayed by 20 years

After the start of initial development, the second phase of the Seaport-Airport Road, a 14.3 km length from Kalamassery HMT Road to Nedumbassery airport, has been delayed for more than 20 years. Two phases make up the 25.7 km Seaport-Airport Road project, which runs from Irumpanam to the Kochi airport. In 2003, the 11.3 kilometre first phase from Irumpanam to Kalamassery was finished. The second phase, however, has been postponed as a result of the land acquisition impasse. To expedite the purchase of land for the second phase, a review meeting was convened and presided over by Aluva MLA Anwar Sadat and Ernakulam Collector N S K Umesh. The decision was made at the meeting, which took place in the Collector's chamber, to finish the land acquisition procedure for the Purayar rail over bridge (ROB) by May 31. As a need for the second stage of the road project, land acquisition must be finished in the villages of Choornikkara, Thrikkakara North, Aluva West, and Keezhmadu. A draught notification regarding the land acquisition has been finalised and will be issued by August 16 according to a formal announcement. Three pieces made up the second phase. Sections A, B, and C are the sections from HMT Road-NAD Junction to Mahilalayam Junction Road, Chowara, and the part from Chowara to Airport Road. Aluva and Chowara railway stations are separated by the Purayar railway gate. The project is being implemented by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation (RBDCK), although Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board is providing the finance. The project management expert is Kitco Ltd. The project outlay for the second phase of the NAD to Mahilayalam length is Rs 4.37 billion, according to the RBDCK website.