The first phase of the Althara-Attakulangara track through Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud and Killipalam in Thiruvananthapuram has begun. The work is part of the Smart Road Project under the Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited (SCTL).

Phase 1 would upgrade the stretch between Althara Junction and the Thycaud Bridge at the Government Hospital for Women and Children. The road from Thycaud to Attakulangara was to be developed in the second phase.

The construction of utility lines has started near the Althara junction and the first phase is expected to be completed within six months.

However, three months is sufficient for completion, but the shifting utilities, including KWA pipes, sewer lines, can take three additional months.

The 2.5km road would get a massive upgrade using concrete and street lighting on the median strip, and the cables would be underground.

One side of the road is open to traffic when work is being done on the other side of the road. Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) is the executing body as the trajectory falls under the Public Works Department (PWD).

A KRFB official told media that construction would begin in full within two weeks and traffic would be limited to one lane.

Officials told media that Manaveeyam Road, which had been closed for a while due to Smart Road development, would be open to the public for the next 15 days.

The residents are demanding that the 2.5 km stretch from Althara to Thycaud Mother and Children Hospital be widened and beautified.

The government gave the Trivandrum Development Authority (TRIDA) responsibility for acquiring land, installing street lighting and building a median strip.

Earlier, the plan was to widen the Sri Moolam Club-Xanadu Junction and Amman Kovil Junction-Thycaud Hospital stretch. The road would be constructed according to the guidelines of the Indian Roads Congress.

However, it never moved forward due to legal issues and later the stretch was merged with the proposed Smart road project. The RK Madani Group is building roads in the city under the KRFB and the PWD.