New norm throws a spanner in Kochi Greenfield Bypass works

The greenfield NH was proposed to decongest the Edappally–Aroor NH 66 Bypass and the Edappally–Angamaly NH 544 stretch.
| Photo Credit: File Photo

The norm that NH projects worth ₹1,000 crore or more, whose tenders have not yet been awarded, must henceforth receive Union Cabinet approval has raised concerns that the NHAI’s 44-km-long Kundannoor–Angamaly Kochi Bypass, for which boundary-stone laying is under way, might face further delays.

The land acquisition process for the greenfield NH project began in full swing in the last quarter of 2024, following delays caused mainly by differences between the State and Centre over the Centre’s demand that the project be exempted from royalty on raw materials and State GST.

Official sources said that as per the new set of norms, the Union Cabinet would need to give a fresh go-ahead for the ambitious greenfield NH, which was proposed to decongest the Edappally–Aroor NH 66 Bypass and the Edappally–Angamaly NH 544 stretch. This is because no new NH projects are currently being considered under the Bharatamala Pariyojana scheme, which was aimed at speeding up the development of NH corridors.

Interestingly, the Edappally–Aroor NH 66 Bypass also happens to be the busiest NH stretch in Kerala, with over 1 lakh passenger car units using it daily. It is also the only NH 66 stretch in Kerala that has not been widened. Regarding concerns about possible delays in executing the proposed greenfield Kochi Bypass, sources expressed hope that the project would proceed as planned, since the Union Cabinet’s approval is part of the routine procedures that would henceforth have to be adhered to. The Cabinet had recently approved several NH projects valued at over ₹1,000 crore.

The new norms also state that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) can decide by itself on projects valued below ₹1,000 crore, they added.

Reacting to the development, Hibi Eden, Ernakulam MP, said that the MPs and MLAs through whose constituencies the Kochi Bypass would pass have convened a meeting at the Ernakulam Collectorate on April 23 to seek clarity on the project, and to get updates on boundary-stone laying and other ongoing works.

Saji Kudiyirippil, general convenor of the Kundannoor–Angamaly National Highway Bypass Action Council, said the ongoing process to lay boundary stones  should be expedited.

Sources in the Revenue department said boundary-stone laying is complete in over 50% of the proposed NH corridor, specifically from Angamaly to Patimattom, except in one village along the route. The process is expected to be completed by May 10.