Kerala - Kozhikode   

Rs.353 crores sanctioned for State, says Muneer

Staff Reporter

Proposal includes four-lane system on NH 47

KOZHIKODE: Minister for Public Works M.K. Muneer has said that Rs.353 crores has been sanctioned for Kerala under the National Highway Development Fund. The proposal includes a four-lane system on National Highway (NH) 47.

Four-lane traffic is also being considered for NH 17.

Dr. Muneer was speaking at a programme `Development of roads and bridges in Malabar,' organised by the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.

CCCI president C.E. Chakkunny, former president M. Muzammil, members K. Moidu, P. Mammad Koya, among others, participated in the discussion.

Dr. Muneer said historical reasons had hindered the development of Malabar and that it has been unable to keep pace with the development in other areas of the State.

"We ought to get our legitimate share of development. Concerted efforts are on towards this end. Land acquisition proceedings create undue problems in widening of roads here. Illegal constructions on roads are a bane. Only if a participatory approach is adopted by the general public will development be possible. Legal procedures can delay work unduly," he added.

A project report is being prepared on NH 17. Only 40 per cent of the land required for the project has been acquired so far.

"While 60 metres is the stipulated width of the NH, in Kerala it has been possible to acquire only 45 metres. As of now the stretch between Angamali and Thrissur will have 45 metres and the remaining stretch, 60 metres," Dr. Muneer said.

Work is being expedited on the bypass road from Ramanatukara to Pantheerankave and work on the Thondayad stretch will be completed by December end, he added.

In the second phase, the work of the stretch between Malaparaba and Vengalam will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.100 crores. Dr. Muneer said the work on the bypass in Kozhikode is progressing on the lines of the Alappuzha and Kollam stretch.

Work on the rail over bridges between Kozhikode and Kasaragod has been delayed owing to delay in obtaining clearance from the Railway Safety Commissioner. Dr. Muneer said a master plan would envisage the development of Kozhikode and Kochi on the lines of Thiruvananthapuram.

A sum of Rs.3 crores has been earmarked for the widening of the Airport Road. Concrete would be laid on dangerous stretches such as the Wayanad hairpin bends, he said.

A memorandum submitted to Dr. Muneer highlighted the neglect of the Malabar region. The CCCI demanded the completion of the works on the NH between the Edappaly-Mangalore and Kozhikode Mysore stretches.

The coastal highway project, completion of bypasses and development of Kozhikode city on a par with Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are in the pipeline.

The need to expedite work on rail over bridges was highlighted in the memorandum. The chamber wanted the Express Highway project feasibility report to be completed.

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