T’puram: After months of uncertainty and delays, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) granted approval for the construction of the approach roads to the flyover under construction at Enchakkal, clearing a major hurdle that stalled the project. The nod was issued by NHAI regional office, allowing the contractor to resume and accelerate pending works ahead of the southwest monsoon.The revised design marks a significant departure from the earlier plan. Instead of retaining walls on either side of the approach road, the new proposal includes the construction of four additional pillars on the northern and southern sides to ensure structural stability. The change comes in the wake of recent retaining wall collapses reported from Kottiyam and Kooriyadu, which raised safety concerns and prompted a re-evaluation of the Enchakkal design. “The revised design prioritises long-term safety and durability. Considering recent incidents elsewhere in the state, we decided to opt for a more structurally secure approach using additional pillars instead of retaining walls,” an NHAI official said. “With approval now in place, the contractor has been instructed to expedite work so that critical components are completed before the onset of the monsoon,” he said. With barely 45 days remaining before the southwest monsoon is expected to hit Kerala, the contractor, Cherian Varkey Constructions Ltd, has begun mobilising resources to fast-track the work. Officials indicated that priority will be given to completing the approach road structures and drainage components to prevent weather-related disruptions. Enchakkal flyover, being constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 47 crore, is a key infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion along the busy airport corridor in Thiruvananthapuram. The project was temporarily halted in recent months specifically to revise the approach road design, particularly on the northern and southern stretches, leading to concerns among commuters and locals. Despite the delays, construction of all five spans of the flyover was completed, marking substantial progress on the core structure. The focus has now shifted to finishing the approach roads, lighting and ancillary works. In line with modern urban infrastructure standards, the flyover will also feature street lighting similar to those installed on the Chackai flyover, enhancing both visibility and aesthetics along the stretch. NHAI officials expressed confidence that the revised plan would prevent future structural issues and ensure the project’s timely completion. “We are targeting completion by Sept, provided weather conditions remain favourable and there are no further unforeseen challenges,” the official added. Once completed, Enchakkal flyover is expected to significantly streamline vehicular movement towards the airport and adjoining areas, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall traffic flow in one of the city’s busiest transit corridors. Enchakkal Junction was a significant bottleneck due to substantial traffic congestion, increasing the demand for a flyover. This initiative aims to facilitate smoother vehicular movement from Kovalam, Shanghumugham and Vizhinjam to the city centre, simultaneously alleviating congestion at this pivotal junction. Situated along the bustling Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola NH corridor, the junction serves as a converging juncture for roads stemming from East Fort, Vallakadavu, Attakulangara and Pettah-Enchakkal. In particular, traffic congestion intensified along Chackai to Kovalam service road, frequently leaving vehicles stationary for 15 to 20 minutes. This bottleneck subsequently hampered traffic flow on adjoining roads.
