Expert panel led by the district collector Arjun Pandian on Saturday checked the key sections of the NH 544 in Amballur to review the progress of road work. | Photo Credit: Kk Najeeb
After the public protests and the elected representatives and repeated delays of the Indian National Highway (NHAI) and its suppliers, the stunning work finally began on the alternative section of the NH 544 in Míroor between Thrissur and Ernacula.
Around 21:30 on Friday, the traffic towards Ernakula was diverted through Aloor after blocking the vehicles in Kodakara. The long -awaited effect began at 22:00 officials expect that once the work is completed, the flow of operation will significantly improve and reduce the overload on the highway.
District collector Arjun Pandian will visit various points along the NH to assess the traffic situation. The construction of seven underparts between Chirangara and Chuvannamann was the main cause of serious traffic blocks on the route. Suppliers did not apply to the requirements to prepare reliable alternative roads before cutting off the main highway.
SC decision on tolls
The breakthrough came after Minister KPCC Shaji Kadandanrath, DCC President Joseph Tanet and the leader of the OJ Youth Congress, filed petitions that led the Keral High Court to stop the toll collection until the traffic bloc was reliable. The Supreme Court later confirmed the decision and forced Nhai to initiate stunning alternative roads through several sections.
The tension reached the peak on Thursday, when the LDF leaders were locked by the engineer Nhai Site inside the PWD rested house for almost two hours and released it after the police mediated that the breath would begin on the same day. When the work failed to start, Presidents Panchayat warned that they would start an indefinite hungry blow on Saturday.
Finally, the leaders withdrew the work. However, they also equalized serious accusations that the NHAI project director received illegal payments from suppliers in connection with construction.
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Published – August 23 2025 20:24
