2 days ago
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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has enactment connected clasp the 45-m-wide greenfield road corridor task linking Kochi and Theni.
The 151-km-long task was envisioned astir a decennary agone to decongest the 121-km-long NH 85 corridor betwixt Kochi and Munnar, which begins astatine Kundannoor Junction connected the NH Bypass here.
The greenfield corridor connected NH 85 has not been dropped. It whitethorn instrumentality immoderate much clip to finalise the project, since a fewer method and fiscal feasibility issues request to beryllium sorted out. The method issues see finalising the greenfield highway’s alignment done the ghat conception and wood lands. The NHAI is presently facing a akin contented successful widening a 12-km-long agelong of the existing NH 85, which is flanked by wood lands, it is learnt.
“At present, the absorption is connected processing the existing NH 85 by making optimal usage of the disposable abstraction connected the mostly two-lane stretch,” authoritative sources said. In the meantime, the NHAI has approved an further ₹160 crore for the task to redevelop the existing NH 85 corridor.
“The further funds volition beryllium utilized to guarantee a minimum 10-m-wide carriageway on the full stretch, undertake minimal onshore acquisition, and straighten curves wherever necessary. Moreover, paver blocks volition beryllium laid, among different places, successful Munnar town. Four-laning has been planned astatine Adimali, portion footpaths and handrails volition travel up astatine prime locations. The funds volition besides beryllium utilized to relocate pipelines. It is hoped that the redevelopment of the Kochi-Munnar agelong of NH 85 tin beryllium completed by December,” sources said.
Responding to wide complaints from motorists and pedestrians astir inadequate lighting, roadworthy and kerb markings connected the congested and highly accident-prone Kundannoor-Pettah stretch, which falls wrong the limits of Maradu municipality and the Kochi Corporation, NHAI sources said steps would soon beryllium taken to supply roadworthy markings and fortify roadworthy shoulders.
In addition, vendors and different encroachers occupying roadworthy shoulders and, astatine times, the tarred carriageway would beryllium removed with the assistance of the police.
