The Hindu : Malabar Coastal Highway to be completed by 2005

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 04, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Malabar Coastal Highway to be completed by 2005

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE NOV. 3. The proposed coastal highway along the West Coast from Vengalam to Ponnani, is proposed to be completed in a record time of two years.

According to reliable sources of the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), the proposed 72 k.m. coastal highway, estimated to cost Rs. 400 crores, the first massive road construction project in Malabar in the last 55 years, will be ready for traffic by 2005. The highway would lay the foundation for a four-lane traffic in Malabar for the first time.

The 30-metre broad stone fixing work of the project, along the stretch from Vengali to Beypore, commenced last week. This work is expected to be complete by December 31. Efforts will be made to finish the work as planned, and avoid accumulated cost.

Sources added that the coastal road was a massive development initiative bringing under its umbrella economic, commercial, tourist besides aesthetic considerations. The highway is being laid along the remaining bits and pieces of the historic road built by Tipu Sultan around 200 years ago. As much as the commercial considerations, the tourist potential of the region that exist in the area through which the road traverses, was immense and could be exploited thoroughly with private assistance.

The roadwork is being carried out under the supervision of the RBDCK Managing Director, V.J. Kurien, and the general manager, Mohammed Hanish.

Apart from the development considerations, the drive along the highway is expected to be an aesthetic experience going by the scenic locales in the area. Of the 72 k.m., 50 km. is along the sea front. This was the second such road along the West Coast, the first being the stretch along the Goa-Honavar route.

The highway will start from Iswaramangalam to Ashanpadi (10.8 k.m.) and proceed to Tanur to traverse along the Tipu Sultan Road (9.4 k.m.) where there are no encroachments. It will take the National Highway to skirt the thickly populated Tanur town (6.2 k.m.).

From north of Tanur town, the road will lead to Kadalundi (15.8 k.m). From Kadalundi it will reach Beypore (8.3 k.m.), and from there to Vengali (14.9 k.m.). A new bridge is proposed to be built at Korapuzha. The highway will reduce the distance from Kochi to Kozhikode by 21 k.m., and bring the districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode closer, as well as the Kochi and Mangalore ports.

The RBDCK proposes to acquire more land (200 hectares approximately), than needed for the actual road construction, and hand over the excess area for commercial development to private entrepreneurs, including tourism initiatives. This would take into account the tourist potential of Tanur, besides development of Marad beach.

With funds made available through such efforts, part of the land acquisition cost can be met, and the setting up of a toll can be avoided. The proposals in this regard will be placed at the Global Investors Meet, and a final decision taken by the Government, the sources added.

Three categories of land are proposed to be acquired — Government land, `poramboke' land, and private land. In the second case, a decision will have to be made by the Government, besides the compensation rate fixed in case of the third category.

A sum of Rs. 140 crores (30 per cent of the project cost) has been earmarked for land acquisition and there was no need for concern on this regard.

As for the difficulties likely to be countered during the land acquisition process, the RBDCK sources pointed out the need to create awareness among the public. The media had contributed positively by giving the needed publicity in this regard.

Regional-level discussions with people's representatives would be held for smooth acquisition.

As for the technical knowhow, the RBDCK has the needed expertise besides the assistance of the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), besides the Natpac.

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