Decision on outer ring road project likely after LS polls

Thiruvananthapuram: The decision on the sharing of costs for the much-hyped outer ring road (ORR) from Vizhinjam to Navaikulam between the Union and the state govts is likely to be taken only after the general elections. Though the state approached the Union ministry of road transport and highways, no concrete decision has been made.Sources said Centre is yet to respond to the state’s request on cost sharing. Since the election code of conduct is expected to come into force by this weekend, a breakthrough is unlikely soon.The state govt had agreed to spend 50% of the fund for land acquisition and Centre the rest. The state requested Centre later to reduce its share to 25%.“We can expect a breakthrough only after the new govt comes to power (at Centre),” a source said.National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials said the state must take a call. So far, 40% of the preliminary work on land acquisition as part of the 3D notification is complete in 11 villages. The work can start only after the land is handed over to the NHAI. However, all proceedings related to the ORR project were stopped by the NHAI due to fund-sharing issues.Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to Union transport and highway minister Nitin Gadkari six months ago, seeking an exemption in the funding for the ORR project due to the state’s financial crisis. The state has also sought the Union govt’s permission to upgrade the 45-metre road to a 60-metre highway. Centre and the state decided to develop the road, which has a 30m-wide main carriageway and 7.5m-wide service roads each on either side.The ORR, comprising a 63km reach from Vizhinjam to Navaikulam via Thekkada on NH66 and a 12km reach from Thekkada to Mangalapuram, is part of developing the surrounding areas of the Vizhinjam port into an extensive industry and commerce centre.The NHAI had floated an e-tender for the project on Feb 1 last year. It divided the tender into two reaches. The first, 29km long, starts from Navaikulam and ends at Thekkada. The second, which starts from Thekkada and ends at Vizhinjam, is 33.4km long.The total cost of constructing the Navaikulam-Thekkada road is Rs 1,478.31 crore, while the Thekkada-Vizhinjam road is Rs 1,489.15 crore. Earlier, the demarcation of the Thekkada-Mangalapuram stretch was delayed owing to protests from local residents. The district collector had also intervened in the matter to resolve it.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.