The hill highway project here is well poised to pick up momentum shortly with the local authorities submitting an ‘investigation’ report to the State Public Works Department (PWD) as a precursor to obtaining technical sanction for the 128.44-km stretch passing through the district.
The report has minute details of the 12-metre-wide road with a 7-metre carriageway.
Immediate task
Technical sanction for the project was expected at least by March, a senior PWD official here told The Hindu on Thursday.
Having marked the identified route in the existing road right from Nandarapadavu in the north to Cherupuzha that borders Kannur district, the immediate task before the authorities is to widen the existing road besides carrying out levelling works and building two bridges along the stretch.
2.5-km forest cover
The stretch passes through the 600-metre-long reserve forest between Chittarikkal and Vallikadavu and has a 2.5-km forest cover between Kolichal and Malom, the official said.
The road, set to pass through Puthige, Perla, Badiyadukka, Mulariya, Pandi, Paduppu, Bandadka, Erinchilamkodu, Kolichal, Pathinettam Mile, Vallikadavu and Chittarikkal, will provide an alternative route parallel to the National Highway, largely passing through the State’s coastal regions.
Market for hill produce
The road would also prove to be boon to the hilly hamlets as it would facilitate easy access to market for hill produce besides providing fillip to tourism initiatives.
