Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Faces Fresh Clearance Setback
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Faces Fresh Clearance Setback

The Vizhinjam–Navayikulam Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram has encountered another delay after the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority rejected the environmental clearance granted to the project on technical grounds. The authority said that environmental clearance for highways executed by the National Highways Authority of India must be issued by the Union government’s environmental authority, not by a state-level panel.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from affected landowners, as the clearance had been under consideration since February. Landowners alleged that delays and lack of coordination between the state and central governments have left around 6,500 families without compensation. The Outer Ring Road was designated as National Highway 866 in 2023.

Ajith G Nair, president of the Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Landowners Movement, said both NHAI and the state government failed to take proactive steps and overlooked basic legal provisions related to environmental clearance. He alleged that there is no designated nodal officer for the project and that agencies including NHAI, the district administration and the Public Works Department lack clarity on its execution.

Chandramohan Nair, convenor of the landowners’ action council, accused authorities of making repeated announcements without securing funds or approvals. He questioned why land acquisition was initiated without financial readiness, highlighting the hardship faced by thousands of affected families.

NHAI officials said the project could face further delays, as the format and process for securing environmental clearance from the Centre differ from those followed at the state level, necessitating fresh applications and approvals.

The Vizhinjam–Navayikulam Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram has encountered another delay after the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority rejected the environmental clearance granted to the project on technical grounds. The authority said that environmental clearance for highways executed by the National Highways Authority of India must be issued by the Union government’s environmental authority, not by a state-level panel. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from affected landowners, as the clearance had been under consideration since February. Landowners alleged that delays and lack of coordination between the state and central governments have left around 6,500 families without compensation. The Outer Ring Road was designated as National Highway 866 in 2023. Ajith G Nair, president of the Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Landowners Movement, said both NHAI and the state government failed to take proactive steps and overlooked basic legal provisions related to environmental clearance. He alleged that there is no designated nodal officer for the project and that agencies including NHAI, the district administration and the Public Works Department lack clarity on its execution. Chandramohan Nair, convenor of the landowners’ action council, accused authorities of making repeated announcements without securing funds or approvals. He questioned why land acquisition was initiated without financial readiness, highlighting the hardship faced by thousands of affected families. NHAI officials said the project could face further delays, as the format and process for securing environmental clearance from the Centre differ from those followed at the state level, necessitating fresh applications and approvals.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Innovision Wins NHAI Toll Collection Contract at Aashpur Fee Plaza

Innovision Limited has informed stock exchanges that it has been awarded a user fee collection and facility maintenance contract by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The letter of award was issued on 10 August 2026 for operations at Aashpur Fee Plaza at design kilometre 231.100 on National Highway number 91 between Aligarh and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The engagement covers collection of user fees for four and more lane sections and the upkeep and maintenance of adjacent toilet blocks including replenishment of consumable items. The contract was secured through a competitive e-te..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Bharat Electronics Secures Rs.5,410 mn In Orders

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has secured additional orders worth Rs.5,410 million (mn) since the last disclosure on 31 July 2026. The fresh awards raise the company's recently reported intake and were announced by way of a regulatory filing on 10 August 2026. The orders span multiple business verticals and are incremental to contracts already under execution. The update follows the company's routine disclosure obligations to the stock exchanges. Major orders received include communication equipment, electro optics, ammunition fuzes, Chemical B..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

United Drilling Tools Receives US Order For Gas Lift Mandrel

United Drilling Tools Limited said it has received an order from Tri Lift Services Inc of the United States for the supply of a gas lift mandrel to be used in the oil and gas industry. The company said the disclosure was made to listing authorities under the Securities and Exchange Board of India listing rules and the SEBI master circular of November 2024. The notice set out the nature of the contract as commercial and awarded by an international entity. The order is to be executed in the ordinary course of business and carries an estimated contract value of Rs four point eight three million (..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement