more-in Citing shortage of funds to construct an overpass for the smooth movement of long-distance travellers through the National Highway corridor, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering making Eenchakkal junction along the upcoming four-lane Kazhakuttam-Karode NH 66 bypass an ‘at-grade junction’. A senior NHAI official told The Hindu that a sum of ?50 crore was needed to build an overpass at the busy junction. However, funds were scarce and hence a decision was taken to go in for the at-grade as proposed in the Detailed Project Report. But, a final decision is yet to be communicated,” he said. The at-grade junction at Eenchakkal junction will be on the lines of the one at Kulathoor, Vellar and Kovalam along the bypass. The existing roundabout at Eenchakkal will be removed and solar-powered traffic signals will be installed by the NHAI as part of the four-laning project being executed under the EPC mode, he said. The overpass at the busy junction was mooted by the project officials taking into account the high volume of traffic in the Chakka-Eenchakkal corridor where the T-II of the international airport and a shopping mall have come up. As per the proposal, the overpass would enable free movement of traffic along the bypass. Vehicles from West Fort and Attakulangara-Sreevarahom bypass would ply beneath the overpass to cross over to Vallakadavu and move along the service road to the bypass. Modelled on the lines of the one at Venpalavattom and Muttathara junction, the 15-m wide and 5.5-m high vehicle underpass was to have a slope of 240 metres on both ends. The 5.5-m vertical clearance as per the Indian Road Congress norms was proposed to enable the movement of heavy vehicles and the Aratt procession of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple to Vallakkadavu en route to the Shanghumughom beach. The overpass would have come in handy if the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) goes ahead with the proposed long-distance bus terminal on its land near the Eenchakkal junction.

Stay updated with all the Latest Thiruvananthapuram headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.