T’puram: After years of uncertainties, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday invited bids for the supply, erection and commissioning of a comprehensive highway lighting system along the 41.2-km Kazhakkoottam–Karode (Kerala-Tamil Nadu border) stretch of NH 66, a move aimed at improving night-time visibility and road safety on one of the state’s busiest national highway corridors.The project has been estimated to cost Rs 13.35 crore. It is to be executed within six months, followed by a 60-month defect liability period, according to the tender document issued by NHAI regional office.The contract covers the installation of a complete highway lighting system for the four-laned Thiruvananthapuram bypass section of NH 66 from Kazhakkoottam to Karode, where there are no lights installed on the median.
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The work includes the installation of 2,232 single-arm poles and 1,033 double-arm poles, along with LED luminaires, feeder pillars, underground cabling, earthing systems, foundations, trenching, backfilling and other associated civil and electrical works. LED lighting system has been specified to provide a minimum illumination level of 40 lux.According to the bid schedule, interested contractors can download the tender documents till Aug 13, while online bids must be submitted by Aug 13. The technical bids will be opened on Aug 14, with the financial bids of qualified bidders to be opened on a later date. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled at NHAI regional office in Thiruvananthapuram for Wednesday.A senior NHAI official said the lighting project would significantly improve safety for motorists using the bypass, particularly during night and adverse weather conditions.“Kazhakkoottam–Karode section carries heavy traffic, including long-distance passenger and freight vehicles. The installation of a modern LED highway lighting system will improve visibility, enhance driving comfort and reduce the risk of accidents at night. We expect to complete the work within the stipulated six-month period after the contract is awarded,” the official said.The lighting package forms part of the wider effort to upgrade safety infrastructure on NH 66, which has been undergoing phased widening and modernisation across the state.
