NH 17, 47 in Kerala to be made 4-lane: Minister

Kozhikode, Jul 25 (UNI) Four-laning work on the 837 km-stretch linking National Highways 17 and 47 in Kerala would begin soon, State Public Works Minister Mons Joseph said today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said the Government expected to get a detailed project report from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by mid-August.

Immediately thereafter, the Government would appoint a consultant agency to implement the scheme on a Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Besides, the Government also proposed to develop six other National Highways in the State. They were Calicut-Wynad NH 212, Kochi-Madurai NH 49, Kottam-Kumili NH 220, Kollam-Chengottai NH 208, Willington Island-Kundannur NH 47A and Calicut-Palghat NH 213, he said.

The NHAI had been asked to conduct feasibility study and submit detailed project reports on the proposed works, Mr Joseph said.

He said a decision on making these into four or two-lane would be taken on receipt of the report.

Land acquisition for the project would be done by the State Government with Central funding, he said, adding that toll-tax system would be introduced as a pre-condition to get the road development fund.

The Minister said road renovation work in the first phase under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) was progressing well and the project for the second phase would be formulated soon.

The Government also proposed to formulate a road policy after undertaking a comprehensive study on road development in the State, he added.

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