Vellayambalam-Chenthitta road to be opened by April 25

Vellayambalam-Althara-Vazhuthacaud-Thycaud-Chenthitta road under Smart City project to be completed by April 25, with upgraded standards.

The work on the Vellayambalam-Althara-Vazhuthacaud-Thycaud-Chenthitta road, the longest road included in the Smart City Road project, will be completed by April 25. According to Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, who reviewed the progress of the road being upgraded to Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete (BM and BC) standards, the work on the road, which is being supervised by the Kerala Road Fund Board, is in the final stages, and the department is hopeful of completing it by April 25.

The 3-km long road is being renovated at a cost of ₹77.81 crore. The road is being made into a four-lane road from Althara to NoRKA Junction and from Mettukada to the flyover, and a two-lane road from NoRKA to Mettukada. Along with this, the 300-m stretch from Vellayambalam to Althara has also been completed as a four-lane road. The road is 98% complete, with only a few finishing touches remaining, said the Minister.

All drinking water pipelines in the areas where the road passes have been restored, and new connections have been given to consumers. All existing electrical poles have been replaced, and electric cables drawn through underground ducts, and connections have been given from the feeder pillars installed. Cables of various service providers have also been rerouted through ducts. The drains and sewerage system have also been improved as part of the project.

Tiled disability-friendly sidewalks have been constructed on both sides of the road, and handrails have been installed wherever necessary. Streetlights and landscaping work have been completed. This road is currently the only one in the city that has anti-glare medians installed on road dividers, said the Minister. Road signs and signage are being installed.

As part of the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City Project, a total of 63 roads have been developed under the Public Works department. Separate contracts have been entered into for each of the roads that were unfit for traffic, and 28 roads have been developed as a package. The Minister said that although some difficulties were encountered during the initial stages of construction, now the work was in the final stage, giving a new road experience to people in the capital.