NH widening in Ramanattukara-Vengalam reach to be completed by June end

Works on the toll plaza on NH 66 in progress between Palazhi and Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Work on the Ramanattukara-Vengalam reach of National Highway-66 is expected to be completed by June-end.

The contractor, KMC Constructions, was given a deadline of June 6 to complete the work, but the company pleaded to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for an extension, citing the heavy and unexpected rain over the last few weeks as an impediment to the work completion. The NHAI has granted the request, and the deadline has been extended till the end of June.

Meanwhile, the works have almost been completed except for the Malapparamba junction and the toll plaza at Koodathumpara between Palazhi and Pantheerankavu.

The road has been opened for traffic towards both sides at Malapparamba, while the service roads are yet to be completed. The service roads have to be strengthened through soil nailing, as one side of them has been carved out for the carriageway.

The construction of the toll plaza at Koodathumpara is progressing fast. The structure of the plaza is complete towards the Ramanattukara side, while the one towards the Vengalam side is under construction. This is expected to be completed in a week.

The concreting works of the Korapuzha bridge have also been completed. The signboards have been placed almost everywhere along the stretch, with the entry and exit points marked.

However, the construction of the Valanchery-Ramanattukara reach, which covers most of Malappuram district, and the Vengalam-Azhiyoor reach, which covers the remainder of Kozhikode district, is far from being completed.