Clamour for more underpasses, elevated highways on NH 66

Calls for more underpasses or elevated highways along National Highway (NH) 66 in Alappuzha are growing louder.

Besides the ongoing demonstrations at Payalkulangara, near Ambalappuzha, and Kayamkulam, residents of S.N. Kavala, near Valanjavazhi, have come out demanding an underpass or elevated highway.

The protest under the aegis of Janakeeaya Samiti at S.N. Kavala completed two weeks on Wednesday. According to residents, an underpass or elevated highway is essential to facilitate local bus services and provide safe pedestrian crossings.

‘Not feasible’

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, however, said that an underpass was already proposed in front of the Government Medical College, Alappuzha, and that constructing another one at S.N. Kavala was not feasible.

Meanwhile, the indefinite relay satyagraha demanding an underpass at Payalkulangara completed its 70th day on Wednesday. The Janakeeya Samiti, which is spearheading the protest, said the development projects should not disrupt the lives of local communities and urged the NHAI to consider its demand for an underpass.

In Kayamkulam, residents have been pushing for the construction of an elevated highway between Chirakkadavam and Shaheedar Masjid Junction on the NH. They argue that the ongoing widening of the NH would divide Kayamkulam town into two parts. Residents said that road users, especially elderly people and students, would face significant hardships crossing the NH.

Soil dredging

Meanwhile, KCC Buildcon, the company entrusted with developing the Thuravoor- Paravoor stretch of the NH, has begun dredging soil from Vemabanad Lake. The extracted soil is being used for the development of the NH stretch.

Previously, a shortage of soil had adversely affected the development of the Thuravoor- Paravoor stretch. Last month, the State government granted permission for soil extraction up to a depth of three metres in the lake.

The removal of silt from the lake is expected to increase the water-holding capacity of the waterbody.