NHAI to Retender Kumarichantha Flyover in Thiruvananthapuram with Revised Design
After months of delay, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to float a fresh tender for the proposed flyover at Kumarichantha on the NH 66 corridor in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram. This move incorporates a revised design that addresses long-standing concerns raised by local residents and traders, marking a significant step forward in the project's development.
Revised Design Addresses Stakeholder Concerns
The decision to retender the project comes after NHAI scrapped its earlier plan and adopted a new design that replaces retaining walls with pillars, alongside additional beautification components. A senior NHAI official stated, "The new design is a result of detailed consultations with stakeholders and technical evaluations. We ensured that the concerns of local residents and traders are addressed while maintaining safety and efficiency standards." He added, "The tender process will begin shortly, and we expect better participation from contractors under the revised scope."
Kumarichantha junction, located along NH 66, has been a major congestion point, particularly during peak hours, with heavy intercity and local traffic. The flyover is considered crucial to easing traffic bottlenecks and improving connectivity in the rapidly expanding urban corridor of Thiruvananthapuram.
From Protests to Progress: Design Evolution
Initially, NHAI proposed a design featuring three pillars with a 20-meter spacing, supported by extensive embankments and retaining walls. However, this plan triggered widespread protests from local residents and traders. They argued that the retaining wall structure would:
- Obstruct shop visibility
- Restrict access to commercial establishments
- Pose potential soil stability risks due to large-scale earth filling
In response, NHAI has now redesigned the project to include seven spans supported by more pillars. This ensures minimal disruption to roadside businesses and improves structural safety. The revised plan also includes aesthetic enhancements aimed at integrating the flyover with the urban landscape.
Presently, piling work has been completed at the Kumarichantha site. Earlier, the contract for the flyover was awarded to Cherian Varkey Constructions Pvt Ltd.
Enchakkal Flyover Work to Resume Soon
In a related development, construction work on the Enchakkal flyover, also along the NH 66 stretch, is set to resume. The project was temporarily halted to revise its approach road design, particularly on the southern and northern sides.
An NHAI official explained that additional pillars will now be incorporated into the Enchakkal project to strengthen the approach roads, replacing the earlier plan that relied on retaining walls. This change follows safety concerns arising from previous incidents at Kottiyam in Kollam and parts of Malappuram, where failures of retaining wall structures were reported.
The contractor for the Enchakkal project is Cherian Varkey Constructions, and it is being built at an estimated cost of around Rs 47 crore. Currently, the work of all five spans has been completed.
These developments highlight NHAI's commitment to addressing community feedback and enhancing infrastructure safety in Thiruvananthapuram, with both projects poised to significantly improve traffic management on the busy NH 66 corridor.
