The proposed greenfield highway is back on the agenda, with Sebastian M.J. and Rony K. Baby, respectively the legislators of Poonjar and Kanjirappally, urging Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to revive the project and take up the matter with the Union government. The 257-km corridor was conceived as an alternative to the increasingly congested MC Road, connecting Pulimath in Thiruvananthapuram district with Angamaly in Ernakulam through parts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki. The project had progressed beyond the initial planning stage, with its alignment finalised and other preliminary procedures completed, before the Union government subsequently withdrew it from consideration.
Commenting on the development, Mr Baby said the proposed highway could significantly improve the movement of goods from the eastern parts of Kottayam and Idukki to Vizhinjam, particularly rubber, spices and other plantation produce. “Nearly 80% of the proposed route passes through plantations, so land acquisition is unlikely to pose a major hurdle. We have conveyed this to the Chief Minister,” he said, adding that the Chief Minsiter had assured full support of the State government for the revival bid and promised to take up the matter with the Centre.
In response to a question from Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had informed Parliament in 2024 that the proposed greenfield highway, despite considerable progress in Kerala, was no longer under the Union government’s consideration. The alignment envisaged the road passing through eastern parts of Kottayam such as Manimala, Erumely South, Cheruvalley, Kanjirappally and Koovappally before proceeding towards the Erattupetta-Meenachil belt and Idukki.
The latest intervention by the two MLAs has once again brought the project into focus, particularly in the eastern parts of Kottayam where the earlier alignment had generated considerable interest among residents and landowners.
The MLAs now plan to widen the political support for the project before making another push with the State government. “A meeting of the legislators representing the constituencies through which the proposed highway passes will be convened next month. We will consolidate their views and take up the case with the Chief Minister again. He has already expressed his willingness to pursue the matter with the Centre,” Mr. Baby added.
