NH projects in Ernakulam region: State spends Rs 2,175cr

Kochi: State govt has contributed a whopping Rs 2,175.81 crore towards land acquisition for national highway projects under NH Ernakulam region, an RTI reply has revealed.This is even as Kerala remains the only state in India currently bearing 25% of total land acquisition costs in an effort to expedite central highway projects."Amount paid by state till date for projects under NHAI PIU (project implementation unit) Cochin is Rs 2,175.81 crore. A total of 409.21 hectares has been acquired under the jurisdiction of Kochi PIU," NHAI said in its reply.While the state has focused on securing the right-of-way, NHAI has matched this effort with significant civil investment. Over the past decade (2016-2026), NHAI completed 127.77km of highway construction in the region, with a total financial expenditure on civil works reaching Rs 8,628 crore."Scope of Kochi PIU covers Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Alappuzha districts. A major portion of NH works is happening in central region, especially Ernakulam," said RTO activist Raju Vazhakkala.Two critical stretches of NH 66 expansion have recently achieved a major milestone, with provisional completion certificates being issued for Ramanattukara-Valancherry and Valanchery-Kappirikkad sections. These stretches are now operational, providing a high-speed six-lane corridor that bypasses congested local bottlenecks.Besides six-laning works, some of the key projects being implemented in the region include Angamaly-Kundannoor Bypass, Kochi-Theni Greenfield Highway and the proposed Edappally-Aroor elevated highway.Of late, Kochi Bypass six-lane project has been upgraded to an eight-lane expressway, with alignment being extended to Aroor.