Thiruvananthapuram: The long-delayed Thirumala-Thrikkannapuram road widening project, which was expected to be completed by Aug, is now likely to miss yet another deadline, with the opening of the crucial link road pushed to Nov amid delays in completing the final works.The project, which has been in the pipeline for years, is progressing slowly, with footpath tiling under way and the final bituminous concrete (BC) layer yet to be laid. A fresh hurdle has also emerged at Thirumala Junction over the shifting of a Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) electric pole, according to sources associated with the project.A PWD official said the remaining works could be completed within a few weeks if the pending utility-related issues are resolved. “The footpath works are progressing and the final BC layer is also to be laid. The issue relating to the electric pole at Thirumala Junction needs to be sorted out. Once these hurdles are cleared, the remaining works can be completed and the road can be opened,” the official said.The latest delay has raised concerns among residents of Nemom constituency, who have been waiting for the road development for years. The project is expected to improve connectivity between Thirumala and Thrikkannapuram and provide a faster alternative route to the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila corridor.The road is particularly important for motorists travelling from Vellayani Junction towards Thirumala, Poojappura, Maruthankuzhi and adjoining areas. The upgraded corridor is expected to divert a substantial volume of traffic from congested city routes and ease pressure on Thirumala Junction.The Rs 29.6-crore project involves widening the existing road from about eight metres to 15 metres and converting it into a four-lane corridor with a median, footpaths, drainage facilities and retaining walls. It covers around 3.6km to 3.9km between Thirumala and Thrikkannapuram.The project has already faced several delays, primarily over land acquisition and the shifting of KSEB and Kerala Water Authority (KWA) utilities. Earlier reports had cited poor coordination between departments as one reason for the slow progress.The road falls in Nemom constituency, which was represented by CPM leader V Sivankutty before BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar won the seat in the 2026 Assembly election. Residents and local observers have questioned the pace of work following the change in political representation, though officials have attributed the delays primarily to pending utility shifting and execution-related issues.Residents now hope the remaining hurdles will be cleared quickly and the much-promised road will finally become fully operational without another extension.
