Good news for Central Travancore! After years of frustrating delays, the much-anticipated upgrade of National Highway 183 is finally getting back on track. A tender for a new consulting firm, tasked with preparing the crucial detailed project report (DPR), is scheduled to be opened on October 17, signaling a renewed push for this vital infrastructure project.
According to official sources, the incoming consultants will be focused on resolving all previous concerns raised by local legislators and Members of Parliament during the DPR phase. For instance, Government Chief Whip N. Jayaraj, representing Kanjirappally, has emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions to waterlogging from overflowing drains, which must be factored into the road construction estimates. He has also called for design adjustments to smooth out land acquisition issues, particularly concerning the proposed 26th Mile Bridge near Kanjirappally.
Beyond Mr. Jayaraj’s input, Kottayam MP K. Francis George and Kottayam MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan have also contributed valuable suggestions for the highway’s revitalization.
Why the Project Stalled: The Previous Consultancy’s Hurdles
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has confirmed that all work previously undertaken by the former consultancy will undergo a thorough reassessment and be finalized by the newly appointed firm. This move comes after the original consultancy, appointed way back in 2016, failed to deliver on its responsibilities within the agreed schedule, leading to significant setbacks.
An official explained, “The initial consultancy only managed to complete surveys and design work for the second segment of the project, leaving the first and third sections untouched.” Consequently, new tender processes are now in motion to bring in a fresh consultancy that will carry out surveys for these neglected stretches. The new firm will operate under a strict, fixed timeline, a crucial step to prevent any further open-ended delays.
Meanwhile, the NHAI has already released official notifications for land acquisition to facilitate the widening of the highway’s initial phase. This first segment, stretching from the Kollam bypass to Anjilimoodu near Chengannur, is slated for expansion to a width of 24 meters.
This extensive first phase, covering 54 kilometers, includes the construction of a four-lane road featuring a 15-meter-wide carriageway, a 1.5-meter central divider, 1.5-meter footpaths, 2-meter shoulder pavements, and 0.5-meter utility ducts. The estimated total cost for this phase stands at an impressive ₹2,300 crore, with ₹950 crore earmarked for the segment between Kadavoor and Vayyankara in Kollam district, and the remaining ₹1,350 crore allocated for the stretch from Vayyankara to Anjilimoodu in Alappuzha district.
Previously, the National Highway division had envisioned the entire project being completed in three distinct sections: one from Chengannur to Kottayam town, another from Kottayam town to Chenkalpally, and the final stretch connecting Chenkalpally to Mundakayam.