Road work resumes at Mukkola-Karode national highway

Thiruvananthapuram: L&T Constructions, after a long gap, resumed construction works at Mukkola-Karode national highway on Monday. Though KNR Constructions had begun maintenance works at Kazhakoottam-Karode stretch, police stopped the work citing lockdown restrictions.
National highway authority of India (NHAI) is engaged in widening of the 26.5-km stretch from Kazhakoottam-Mukkola and laying of concrete road from Mukkola to Karode (16.5km).The contractor has been providing food and accommodation for its labourers during the lockdown period so that work could be started once restrictions are lifted. On Monday, the L&T began embankment works by ensuring social distancing. “Only five to six workers are being deployed in an area to practice social distancing,” sources said.
Apart from the delay caused by the lockdown, hurdles in getting raw materials is also a concern for the NHAI. “Lockdown has already affected the work. We will have to revise the deadline. Already lack of availability of raw materials has affected the work. We are planning to complete the work by the end of this year,” sources said. The contractor, apart from completing the construction of Mukkola –Karode national highway, also has the responsibility of laying service roads, which was not part of the original plan.
Sources said though contractors have ensured adequate labourers, plan to bring in more workers from Tamil Nadu was affected due to the pandemic. The Chackai police on Monday asked the KNR Constructions to stop maintenance works at the national highway. “The workers were engaged in planting on the median s and patch works, which should be done before monsoon. However, police informed us that work could not be allowed unless there is specific directions,” officials said.
DCP K Karuppasamy said lockdown restrictions are in place and works could not be allowed till relaxation is announced on it. Though the NHAI had approached the collector, two days ago, to permit maintenance work on the stretch, they were yet to receive a reply.
The KNR Construction has completed most of the works on the Kazhakoottam-Mukkola national highway. The NHAI has sent a request to its headquarters to remove the pending works from the scope of the contractor. Construction of service roads at Gurunagar near Infosys campus and near Kovalam junction are the major pending works. NHAI is expecting the district administration to introduce some relaxation for NH maintenance work.