Thiruvananthapuram: According to sources, the widening works for Mukkola-Karode NH stretch , which is included in the second phase of Kazhakkoottam-Karode road widening project, will be delayed. It was expected that the works would be completed this year, which is unlikely considering the present scenario.The incessant rain and additional works have prompted National Highway Authority of India NHAI ) to extend the deadline tentatively to June next year.The work on the stretch, which is marked as a ‘greenfield’, was expected to be completed ahead of the phase I works in the Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch.Sources in NHAI said that the work was delayed mainly due to rains.“Since it is a greenfield project, works are often affected during rains. The work involved levelling the ground using red earth and construction of road over it,” sources said. A greenfield project is one which is not constrained by prior work.Also, there were changes with regard to construction of vehicular underpasses and overpasses in the stretch. “The original DPR for the project was made in 2005. So when the actual work began, there were lot of changes. However, we are planning to wind up works by June next year,” said sources.The project had faced various hurdles in the form of public protest. In 2016, people blocked works demanding a better compensation for the land acquired for the project.There were protests demanding construction of vehicular overpasses and service roads in various places in the stretch. After a series of accidents, NHAI had blocked traffic along the road some months ago.The work involves construction of a concrete road in 16.5km stretch from Mukkola to Karode . It was decided to use concrete following a directive from the ministry of road transport and highways. This has helped NHAI overcome hurdles related to shortage of raw materials.L&T Constructions is in charge of the work. The project, which began in June 2015, was expected to be completed within 24 months.Meanwhile, land owners in Chenkal, Karode, Kanjirampara, Thirupuram and Kottukal, who handed over land for the project, have begun a legal fight demanding a better compensation alleging that land was acquired at a very low rate in 2013.

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