Vazhayila-Nedumangad Rd Phase II ready for opening

T'puram: The much-awaited second phase of four-lane expansion of Vazhayila–Nedumangad Road, a key suburban arterial link, will be inaugurated by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Feb 22, civic sources confirmed. The upgraded stretch from Karakulam to Valicode is expected to significantly improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion on one of the region's busiest corridors.Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the implementing agency for the project, awarded the tender for this section to Aboobacker from Kasaragod after a previous contractor failed to fulfil the contractual requirements. Originally, a Tamil Nadu-based firm was selected for phase II, but its contract was cancelled after it failed to submit the required bank guarantee within the stipulated timeframe, prompting KRFB to scrap the agreement and issue a fresh e-tender.
A senior KRFB official said the new contractor was selected after a competitive bidding process, and preparations are now in place for the formal inauguration. The official added that nearly 95% of land acquisition for this phase was already completed and compensation was disbursed to affected owners.Vazhayila–Nedumangad four-lane project envisions transforming the existing narrow two-lane road into a 21m-wide thoroughfare with a central median and pedestrian pathways on both sides, reducing travel time and improving safety for commuters along the 12km stretch connecting the city's eastern suburbs to Nedumangad. Meanwhile, work on the first phase from Vazhayila to Karakulam, which includes construction of Karakulam flyover, continues to progress. Sources said that the first layer of tarring is currently under way, with full completion of this section now expected by April. Once completed, the expanded corridor is expected to offer smoother connectivity not only within the capital's peripheral regions but also facilitate easier access to interior towns such as Palode, Madathara and Vithura, and access to Tenkasi and Courtallam in Tamil Nadu.