Key Thiruvananthapuram Road Project Nears Completion After Delays
Residents of Thiruvananthapuram can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The long-awaited renovation and widening of the Thirumala–Thrikkannapuram road is now firmly on schedule for completion by February 15. This crucial arterial link connects Thirumala and Nemom, and its upgrade has faced significant public frustration due to years of delays.
Project Gains Momentum with Critical Work Completed
The Rs 29.6-crore project, managed by the Public Works Department (PWD - roads), has seen accelerated progress in recent weeks. Officials report that a critical 3.9-kilometer stretch between the Aramvila primary health centre and the Thrikkannapuram bridge has already received its first layer of tarring. Essential drainage facilities along this section are also now in place.
Utility shifting work, a major source of previous delays, is progressing well. The relocation of utility lines between Kunnapuzha and Plavila is fully complete. Similar work has now commenced on the section between Plavila and Thirumala. Once this phase finishes, contractors will begin paving the remaining road sections in full force to meet the mid-February deadline.
Overcoming Past Hurdles and Looking Ahead
A senior PWD executive engineer acknowledged the project's troubled history. "The delays we faced earlier, particularly in relocating utility lines belonging to KSEB and KWA, were significant," the engineer stated. "Now that these issues are being resolved through collaborative efforts, we are confident. We expect the road to open to traffic in about a month without further setbacks."
Administrative sanction for the project was finally granted in December 2024 after prolonged deliberations and multiple clearances. A key factor in accelerating work was the prior disbursement of compensation. Landowners and affected shopkeepers received payments under the agreed rehabilitation package before construction began, which helped clear legal and social hurdles.
Transformation from Troubled Trail to Modern Corridor
The project involves a substantial transformation. Workers are upgrading the existing 8-meter-wide, two-lane road into a modern 15-meter-wide, four-lane corridor. The new design includes a central median and paved footpaths on both sides for pedestrian safety.
Future work, planned as part of a third phase, will focus on comprehensive drainage improvements and the construction of retaining walls along both flanks. These measures aim to ensure long-term structural stability and finally address the chronic waterlogging that has plagued the area, especially during monsoon seasons.
Addressing Long-Standing Public Grievances
Local residents have endured the road's deteriorated condition for years. Many described it as resembling an off-road trail, riddled with deep potholes. This made travel, particularly for two-wheeler riders, extremely risky. Daily commerce and access to local businesses were severely hampered, with several shopkeepers reporting reduced customer footfall due to the poor road conditions and constant traffic congestion.
While the PWD had previously pointed fingers at utility agencies for the delays, recent coordination meetings involving the state administration helped break the deadlock. This high-level intervention resolved long-standing issues and expedited the critical relocation work.
Commuters Welcome Progress and Anticipate Benefits
The renewed progress has been warmly welcomed by daily commuters. "Wider lanes and proper drainage will significantly improve safety and traffic flow," said Sreeraj S, a regular user of the route. He noted that accidents were frustratingly frequent on the old, narrow, and damaged stretch.
Once completed, the upgraded road will provide smoother and faster city access for thousands of commuters from Balaramapuram and surrounding areas. It is also expected to ease chronic congestion on alternate routes, benefiting the broader traffic network in Thiruvananthapuram.
