Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

NABARD aid for road project

Staff Reporter

Rs.13.7 crores sanctioned

PATHANAMTHITTA: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs.13.7 crores for the proposed Achencoil-Konni-Chittar Road, which will pass through the Konni and Achencoil forests.

The proposed road project will be implemented jointly by the Forest Department and the Public Works Department.

The proposed road would begin at Kottavaasal on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border to join the Chittar-Angamoozhi-Pampa Road in Chittar in Ranni taluk.

The 63-km long road project is estimated to cost Rs.13.70 crores and it will be completed in a time span of two years, Shaji C. Kurup, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, said.

At present pilgrims coming from Tamil Nadu via Shencotta have to travel 180 kilometres to reach Pampa.

The proposed road, when completed, would reduce the distance by 73 kilometres.

The proposal is to develop the forest paths and ghat roads into a full-fledged road and extra care will be taken to minimise felling of trees, according to forest authorities in Konni.

The proposed road would be a boost to eco-tourism projects in Achencoil, Manalar, Aduvthumoozhy and Konni, besides facilitating smooth and speedy transportation facility for various agricultural produces.

The road would also lead to development of various remote hilly tracts of Konni and Achencoil and solve traffic congestion on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road, especially during the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.

Significant changes in the industrial and tourism sectors in the eastern hilly tracts of Pathanamthitta district are also expected with the completion of the road project.

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