In a significant move for Kerala's port infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has granted formal approval for a temporary road connection linking National Highway 66 with the approach road to the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport. This decision ends a period of prolonged uncertainty and paves the way for interim cargo movement.
Approval and Immediate Next Steps
The approval was granted earlier this week, with NHAI directing the port operator, Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd, to submit a security deposit of Rs 2.5 lakh, expected to be paid on Monday. Simultaneously, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) is scheduled to conduct a crucial site inspection at the proposed junction point at Thalakode on Monday.
Following this inspection, Natpac will finalize and submit a detailed report to Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) next week. This report will outline feasible options and critical safety measures for the junction. "Our focus is on ensuring proper alignment, visibility and traffic safety, given the volume of container trucks expected to use this junction," a Natpac official stated.
A Crucial Interim Solution for Cargo Operations
This temporary connection is deemed vital for the port's initial operational phase. With the construction of the approach road in its final stages, the link to NH 66 is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. An NHAI official confirmed that once the Natpac safety recommendations are received, necessary works at the interface point can be completed within a month.
Ports Minister V N Vasavan has previously indicated that gateway cargo movement through Vizhinjam port is slated to begin in January 2026. The interim road link is essential to facilitate the smooth and safe movement of heavy vehicles until permanent highway infrastructure is ready. Safety precautions, including specific traffic regulations, are a top priority as container trucks will be merging onto the busy NH 66.
Defined Responsibilities and Long-Term Vision
Responsibilities for infrastructure have been clearly demarcated. While the port operator will install streetlights at the intersection itself, NHAI will handle lighting along the adjoining stretches of the national highway.
Looking beyond the temporary fix, the state government and port authorities are advancing ambitious long-term plans. A major Rs 360-crore cloverleaf interchange at the junction of the Vizhinjam approach road and NH 66 is under active consideration. The proposed four-loop design aims to efficiently manage the anticipated high volume of truck traffic once full-scale cargo operations commence.
Under this plan, land acquisition for approximately 30 acres is likely to begin soon, with construction responsibilities split between NHAI and the Adani concessionaire.
