Gadkari Launches Rs 50,000 Crore Road Projects In Kerala: 31 Highways Covering 896 km, Palakkad-Kozhikode NH To Be Four-Laned

Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari announced on Friday (21 February) that the Central Government has launched road infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 50,000 crore in Kerala, reported The Hindu.

Speaking virtually at the Invest Kerala Global Summit, organised by the Left Front government, Gadkari provided details of the extensive plans aimed at enhancing the state’s road network and connectivity.

“We have 31 upcoming projects spanning 896 kilometres, costing about Rs 50,000 crore,” the minister said during his address, as quoted by The Hindu.

He further highlighted that apart from these new initiatives, the Centre has already completed road infrastructure projects in the state worth Rs 20,000 crore.

Among the major upcoming projects, the four-laning of the Palakkad-Kozhikode section of NH-966 is a significant development, covering 120 km at an estimated cost of Rs 10,800 crore. This project is expected to improve traffic flow and facilitate better connectivity between key regions in the state.

Another critical project is the Angamaly-Kundanoor Ernakulam bypass, which will stretch over 45 km with an investment of Rs 6,500 crore. Gadkari stated that this project is currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage, and construction is expected to begin within six months.

The minister also emphasised the Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road project, which spans 62.7 km and requires an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. "The land acquisition will begin now. The roadworks will begin as soon as 90 per cent of the land is acquired," he said. 

Once completed, this project will provide seamless connectivity to the Vizhinjam port, serving as a vital corridor for port-based economic development.

Also Read: Chennai’s Outer Ring Road Corridor Set For Major Development: Industrial, Green, And Business Hubs Planned