Question : Development of NHs

(a) whether the Government proposes to protect the interest of local population during the development of National Highway and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities or its agencies have conducted any study regarding the difficulties of local population during the development of NH- 66 and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government analysed the difficulties of local population and local traders due to construction of Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall (RERW) in thickly populated junctions and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government analysed the difficulties of local population and local traders at Kottiyam, Chathanoor and Paripally due to construction of RERW in NH-66 and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government considered the request of local population to construct pillar elevated highway at Kottiyam, Chathanoor and Paripally instead of RERW and if so, the action taken by the Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) Interests of local population are always factored into the design and construction of National Highways.
(b) to (e) The length of the National Highway (NH) – 66 in the State of Kerala is about 677 km. Detailed Project Reports have been completed/in progress for 4-laning as well as 6-laning of NH-66. To facilitate movement of local population, adequate number of facilities such as 8.303 km Elevated Road, 52 Flyovers, 123 VUPs, 69 LVUPs, 39 SVUPs, 45 Major Bridges, 72 Minor Bridges, 34 VOPs, 10 ROBs/RUBs, 72 FOBs, 1,085 km Service Road etc. have been constructed/planned on the NH-66.
The provision of viaduct or retaining structure is determined based on the site conditions, requirement and the financial viability of the project. Kottiyam, Chathanoor and Paripally fall in the project stretch from start of Kollam Bypass to Kadambattukonam of NH-66. The road construction work of this stretch has already been awarded. In concession agreement, there is provision of 3 Flyovers at Kottiyam (Km 502.660, 3 spans of 27.5m each), Chathanoor (Km 507.292, 1 span of 30m) and Paripally (Km 515.270, 2 spans of 35m each) Junctions for cross movement of local traffic.
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