The Indian National Highway (NHAI) completed the six-lining section of the Talady-Chengal NH-66, which meant the main milestone in the development of Kerala on the highway.
Jaspreet, a manager representative, Nhai, said Hindu that a 39 km section from Talapada to Chengal was opened for the operation, which was entrusted with the Uralungal Labor Cooperative Society Limited. He said that the project included the construction of a six -lane road with service roads on both sides, which aims to alleviate traffic jams and improve road safety and connection along the busy coastal corridor.
He added that the key structures include four main bridges in Upala, Shiriya, Kumbala and Migral, four small bridges, nine vehicles, one light underpass, three legs and 81 cross runoffs.
He also said that street lighting was provided along 35 km of section and an advanced operating system (ATMS) was installed. The ATMS uses technology to monitor, control and improve highway traffic, increasing the security by detecting incidents, providing information about road users and optimizing response time. Key components of ATMs include CCTV cameras, speed cameras, variable marks of messages, automatic number of numeric boards, incident detection systems and central command center command, he added. The section also includes the first 1.16 km of the overpass with one 1.16 km, 28.5 meters wide with a 29 span-important milestone in the highway infrastructure, he said.
The national highway project, which includes 146.3 km from Talapada to Muzhappilangad, began at the end of 2021 and its aim is to increase the interconnection of roads in the region. While the official date of the project was May 2025, the timeline was extended and all work is expected to be completed by June 2026.
Mr. Jaspreet said the project was very demanding and faced challenges for continuous monsoon rains. He added that while the section between Talacades and Chengala is fully completed, they work on other sections – including Chengala on Nilesware, Nileswaam to Taliparamba and Taliparamba to Muzhappilangad – quickly progress.
“About 80% of the work between Chengala and Nileswaram was completed, while approximately 75% were completed on two more sections,” he said. The work between Chengal and Taliparamba has been entrusted with Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, while Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Limited deals with the section between Taliparamba and Muzhappilangad, he added.
The project, which is implemented within the Hybrid Annuity model, will be maintained and operated for 15 years.
The officer said that the completion of the project will significantly improve regional connectivity in northern Kerala, reduce travel time and increase socio -economic growth by facilitating safer and smoother commuters, trade and logistics.
Published – 5th October 2025 17:10 is
