Construction of the 25km Edappally-Moothakunnam section of NH-66 near Kochi is expected to accelerate in October. Last week, a meeting of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, Ernakulam MLA TJ Vinod and Cheranalloor panchayat officials was held to discuss issues related to NH development on the stretch.

At the meeting, NHAI officials announced that as part of the project, a flyover at Signal Junction and five underpasses in Cheranalloor will be built.

“Together with the highway, there will be a six-lane viaduct, 7-metre-wide service roads and drainage. The NHAI has set a 30-month deadline to complete the project. The state highway will be built to standards," Vinod said.

“As part of the land purchase, the government has spent more than Rs 15 billion on compensation and rehabilitation,” he said. “Nearly 60% of the land acquisition procedures have been completed and demolition work is underway. NHAI officials will visit the project site in October-November and work is expected to begin shortly,” the MLA said.

The uncertainty surrounding the construction of a new highway has led to several protests from residents of the area over the years. Initially it was proposed to build a cloverleaf here. But the move failed because residents opposed it because the project needed more land. The agitation has now come to an end with the new plan.