Six-Lane Elevated Highway Among Projects Worth Rs 3 Lakh Crore To Be Implemented In Kerala, Says Gadkari

The Union government is aiming to develop world-class infrastructure in Kerala which includes the country's largest six-lane elevated highway to strengthen the tourist sector.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore will be implemented in the state by the end of 2025.

He said that good roads are the biggest strength of the tourism sector and these projects will help to increase tourism by three times.

The minister said this while addressing the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony of 15 National Highway projects worth Rs 45,536 crore in Thiruvananthapuram.

Gadkari said that the Centre aims to implement road infrastructure development having international standards in Kerala.

The Union minister said that three projects will be included in the industrial corridor. A total of 919 km of the industrial corridor will pass through Kerala in these three projects worth Rs 87,224 crore.

Of the 1,619 km Mumbai-Kanyakumari corridor, 644 km passes through Kerala. The project cost is Rs 61,060 crore.

The total distance of the Kanyakumari-Kochi corridor is 443 km, of which 166 km passed through Kerala. The project cost for this is Rs 20,000 crore.

Of the 323 km Bangalore-Malappuram corridor, 72 km passes through Kerala. The project cost is Rs 7,134 crore.

This corridor will pass through nine districts of Kerala. It will also include the country's largest six-lane elevated highway. He said that the aim is to complete these three projects before 2024.

The Union minister said that the state should find ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Gadkari suggested that the state government should take steps to convert the public transport system to biofuel, electric, green, hydrogen, etc, as soon as possible to reduce pollution as well as the cost of travel.

Compared to the land acquisition in other states, the Union minister pointed out that the costs are relatively high in Kerala. He said that this is the biggest obstacle to road development in Kerala.

The 544 km development projects inaugurated today are being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It will also include a six-lane highway from Wadakkanchery to Thrissur and a four-lane elevated highway from Kazhakootam to Technopark.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presided over the event. He called it an important day for the development of infrastructure in the state.

Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan said that these projects show the cooperation of the people of Kerala for the development of the state.

He also said that sanctioning of projects in the country and their implementation are going on at the same speed due to the efforts of the Union government.