T’puram: Four-laning of MC Road from Mannanthala in Thiruvananthapuram to Chengannur in Alappuzha is expected to require acquisition of around 100 hectares of private land, costing more than Rs 5,000 crore, public works minister P K Basheer informed the assembly on Tuesday.Replying to a calling attention motion by MLA G R Anil, Basheer said surveys and investigations for the project had been completed in four phases and a draft alignment prepared. A feasibility study is currently under way. Govt had granted in-principle approval for Rs 1,500 crore for four-laning of MC Road from Kesavadasapuram to Angamaly and the Kollam-Sengottai road. The funds for further activities, including construction, would have to be identified separately, the minister added.As the first phase of the MC Road project, the public works department’s design wing prepared a pre-feasibility report under the chief engineer for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Mannanthala-Chengannur stretch.At a meeting chaired by the chief principal secretary to the chief minister on June 14, 2023, it was decided to carry out the survey and investigation in four phases, in order of priority.The first phase covers Mannanthala to Thekkode, while the second extends from Thekkode to Vazhod, on the Thiruvananthapuram district border. The third phase covers Vazhod to Enath, and the fourth extends from Enath to Mulakkuzha in Chengannur.The draft alignment requires detailed scrutiny and a feasibility study before final approval is granted, the minister said.Basheer also said a meeting of the 18 MLAs representing constituencies through which MC Road passes, along with the assembly speaker, would be held next week to discuss the project.
