Mixed Progress on National Highway 66 Expansion; Deadline may not met

Efforts are underway to meet the deadline for the expansion of National Highway 66 by 2024, with dedicated workers and contractors diligently working towards this goal. The progress along the stretch from Ramanattukara to Moodadi, which marks the district border, has been a mixture of achievements. While some areas witness rapid progress, others are experiencing a slower pace of work.With the exception of a few spots between Ramanatukara and Pantheerankavu, the national highway experiences a steady flow of vehicles along most sections. The final stages of construction are currently in progress, with the commencement of pillar installation for the second flyover in Azhinjilam. The Ramanattukara flyover requires three more girders to be completed. Additionally, the median divider on the main road until Azhinjilam has been finished. Workers involved in the national highway project can be seen residing in makeshift shelters alongside the road between Ramanatukara and Moodadi.Several sections of the main road have already been opened, and the construction of service roads has been fully completed. Flyover construction is also underway. Local residents and travelers anticipate a significant change in traffic culture once the six-lane NH becomes operational. Officials predict that travel time from Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram will be significantly reduced once the road is open to traffic.In the Moodadi region, where the road runs through fields, work is progressing rapidly. Tarring has been completed at various locations in this area, and the newly tarred roads have already become a playground for local children playing cricket. Furthermore, the construction of a tunnel under the Vengeri side is currently in progress.Flyover construction is also taking place in several areas, including Pantheerankavu, Thondayad, Palazhi, Pooladikunnu, and Vengalam.On the Ramanattukara side, tarring work has been completed. However, authorities now acknowledge that it may not be feasible to meet the originally planned timeline of completing the 68.4 km NH passing through the district by 2024.The National Highway development in the district consists of two stretches: a 40 km section from Azhiyur to Vengalam and a 28.4 km section from Vengalam to Ramanatukara. The 2.2 km stretch between Azhiyur and Vengalam, spanning from Paloli bridge to Mooradu bridge, has been designated as a separate section of work since it started earlier.