3 months ago
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The National Highway Protection Council (NHPC) staged a protestation astatine Adimaly successful Idukki connected Saturday, demanding the contiguous resumption of operation connected the 14.5-km Neriamangalam–Valara agelong of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway. The protestation was inaugurated by Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose.
Work connected the important agelong has remained stalled since July 2025 pursuing a Kerala High Court bid restricting roadworthy widening and histrion felling. The enactment was issued successful effect to a petition filed by Idukki-based environmentalist M.N. Jayachandran.
Although the State authorities precocious submitted a caller affidavit, prompting the tribunal to nonstop the Chief Secretary to contented orders to resume construction, the NHPC alleged that the directive has not yet been implemented.
“The tribunal directed the Chief Secretary to facilitate the resumption of enactment connected this 14.5-kilometre stretch,” said Rasak Chooravelil, wide convenor, NHPC. “However, the indispensable bid is yet to beryllium issued. We impulse the authorities to intervene immediately. The bid should beryllium signed earlier the notification for the upcoming Assembly elections is issued,” helium said.
Mr. Chooravelil described the existent information of the roadworthy arsenic “pathetic,” stating that vehicular question has go progressively difficult. The Neriamangalam–Valara agelong serves arsenic the main artery for travellers heading to the Munnar elevation station. Its constrictive carriageway, crisp hairpin bends, and predominant incidents of histrion falls airs superior information risks to tourists and regular commuters alike. On weekends and holidays, the agelong is notorious for postulation snarls lasting respective hours.
The hold successful operation has emerged arsenic a large governmental flashpoint successful Idukki, with some the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the NHPC staging a bid of protests to property the authorities into action.
Devikulam MLA A. Raja said roadworthy widening and tarring works connected the Neriamangalam–Valara agelong are expected to statesman soon.
