Thiruvananthapuram: The construction work of the first phase of the long-pending Peroorkada –Nedumangad road development project, covering the stretch from Vazhayila to Karakulam, is set to resume this week, with the authorities planning to open the road by Feb.The project is an important component of the proposed highway corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram with Tenkasi and is expected to improve connectivity between the capital city and the eastern parts of the district. The project had witnessed delays in recent months, mainly due to a shortage of workers, but the authorities have now set a fresh timeline for completing the remaining work.Officials said around six months would be required to complete the pending work and make the stretch fully operational.“At present, the major works remaining in the first phase include completing slab-related works at three locations where pipeline works are being carried out. A transformer also has to be relocated, while the remaining works on the Karakulam flyover, including completion of the girders, are to be finished. Once these works are completed, the road is expected to be opened to traffic,” an official associated with the project said.Karakulam flyover is a key component of the first reach. The flyover was separately tendered and has a total length of around 675m, including the approaches. The flyover is aimed at easing congestion at the busy Karakulam junction and improving traffic movement along the corridor.Meanwhile, work on the second phase, from Karakulam to Valicode, has already commenced. Retaining wall construction is currently progressing at several locations along the stretch. The second phase is expected to provide a crucial link towards Nedumangad and further improve traffic movement along the corridor, targeting completion and opening around March-April next year.However, the third phase remains stalled. The third phase covers the Valicode–Pazhakutty stretch, passing through major parts of Nedumangad town. Land acquisition and compensation issues have emerged as the major hurdles for taking the phase forward.Around Rs 400 crore has been earmarked as compensation for affected landowners in the third phase, of which nearly Rs 220 crore has already been disbursed. The remaining compensation is yet to be paid, delaying further progress on land acquisition and construction.The third phase was taken up under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) funding mechanism. However, several KIIFB-funded projects have faced uncertainty following the change in govt, and the Nedumangad road’s third phase has also remained on hold. The entire Vazhayila-Nedumangad corridor is being executed in three reaches through separate tenders to facilitate construction and management of the works.
