Question : DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(a) whether there is any proposal to develop the National Highways including extending it upto Vallarpadam Container Terminal at Cochin;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether NH-17 and N H-47 are proposed to be developed from Cochin;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the present status of bypass from Cochin to Munnar on National Highway No. 49?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K. H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) & (b) : There is a proposal for developing a new International Container Transshipment Terminal

(ICTT) at Vallarpadam in Kerala by Cochin Port Trust. A four lane road connectivity (17.2 km long) with NH-47 to the ICTT is proposed at an estimated cost of Rs. 395.00 crore.


(c) & (d) : The entire length of NH-17 (421 km) in Kerala from Karnataka-Kerala border to Edappally

(Cochin) is proposed for four laning on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase III-B. Presently, the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for four laning is in progress. Four laning of NH-47 from Walayar (Kerala-Tamil Nadu Border) to Vytilla Junction (Cochin) is in progress under NHDP Phase II (North-South Corridor). Out of total length of 166 km, 4 laning has already been completed in a length of 32 km and the same is in progress in a length of 46 km. Preparation of DPRs/award of works are in progress in the balance reaches. As regards other section of NH-47 in Kerala i.e from Vytilla Junction to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, four laning is in progress from Vytilla Junction to Aroor Junction (10 km) under “ Port Connectivity”, from Aroor Junction to Cherthalai

(20 km) is already four lane and from Cherthalai – Trivandrum – Karnataka/Tamil Nadu border (221 km), four laning is proposed under NHDP Phase III-A. Presently preparation of DPRs/award of works are in progress.

(e) : Three bypasses viz. Tripunithura, Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam are proposed between Kochi and Munnar on NH-49 in Kerala. The alignment for these bypasses stands approved and the land acquisition estimates awaited from the State PWD. However, for Tripunithura Bypass, land acquisition in part length has already been approved.