Edappally-Moothakunnam NH extension deadline extended till December

About 75% of the work on the 24 km long Edappally-Moothakunnam NH 66 section is complete. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set December as the revised date for the completion of six-laning work on the 24-km Edappally-Moothakunnam stretch of NH 66, one of the busiest and most densely populated corridors on the highway.

Approximately 75% of the work on the section has been completed. The expressway is being upgraded to allow 80 kmph to 100 kmph speed for vehicles, NHAI sources said.

“The expressway is being widened to 45 metres, including service roads, sewers and related infrastructure. Service roads will be seven meters wide wherever land is available to allow two-way vehicular movement. Soil tests were carried out in May as part of the design process for retaining walls along the corridor,” sources said.

Bridges

While the newly constructed parallel bridge at Varapuz was commissioned earlier this year, another bridge under construction at Moothakunnam is all set to open. Currently, access roads to the existing bridges are being widened on a 22 km stretch to ensure smoother traffic. Once the work is completed, the new bridges will have three lanes while the existing bridges will continue to operate with two lanes, the sources added.

Demand for subways

Meanwhile, NGOs, residents’ associations and people’s representatives have renewed their demand for more underpasses along the stretch to allow vehicles and pedestrians to cross the expressway safely.

“NHAI needs to build adequate number of underpasses as promised because the Edappally-Moothakunnam section passes through densely populated areas with educational institutions and places of worship. For example, there is no underpass on the 2.5 km stretch between Kunnumpuram Junction and the junction where NH 66 crosses Container Chendtail,” SamillyNHamp chairman Samillyara Hashim said. Samithi.

He said it was high time NHAI started work on the proposed underpass for light vehicles at Thykavu junction, which it had promised in the stakeholders’ meeting. The intersection is located approximately in the middle of the 2.5 km long section. Underpasses are also needed in Koonammavu and Pattanam, he added.

Mr. Chendampilly said NGOs and other groups raising awareness on the issue would not allow the remaining work to continue unless the underpasses were built. He also demanded adequate drainage facilities along the highway to prevent waterlogging.

Meanwhile, NHAI has expressed its willingness to provide funds to local bodies to implement measures to prevent waterlogging along the Edappally-Kodungalloor stretch of NH 66. The move is expected to enable smooth drainage of water from service roads to nearby water bodies, sources said.

Published – 31 May 2026 21:16 IST