The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given its final approval for the road connectivity between the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport and NH 66 near Mukkola on January 30. However, a significant hurdle remains as 42 cents of land need to be acquired from the four sides of the national highway.
The responsibility for land acquisition falls on Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), a state government-owned company tasked with executing the flagship project. Despite efforts, VISL has been unable to acquire the land with the assistance of the district administration due to the government’s current financial crisis.
In a significant move, Finance Minister K N Balagopal prioritized the Vizhinjam project in the state budget, highlighting the government’s commitment to expediting road and rail connectivity to the port. To facilitate land acquisition, the government needs to allocate ₹12 crore to the district administration. The concessionaire, Adani Group, can only proceed with tender proceedings for the approach road (quarter trumpet design) after the state government transfers the land.
Sources close to the Adani Group confirm that the NHAI approved the road design on January 30, aligning with Indian Road Congress standards. However, the initiation of tender proceedings is contingent upon the state government’s land transfer.
Meanwhile, VISL managing director Divya S Iyer announced that the state treasury has allocated ₹12 crore to VISL, which will be disbursed to landowners as compensation by month’s end. Once received, VISL plans to complete land acquisition within a month.
The NHAI granted initial approval for the connection road’s design six months ago. The project entails constructing a two-kilometer, four-lane road linking the port with NH-66. While two bridges along the route are complete, the approach road is still under construction. This road aims to alleviate traffic congestion at NH 66, particularly with the accessible Mukkola-Karode road, and provide access to the proposed outer ring road.
According to a social impact assessment report by the district administration, 29 families, including 39 owners of private plots, will be affected by the proposed land acquisition. The land in Vizhinjam village and Neyyattinkara taluk is targeted for acquisition, with 78 trees of nine different varieties marked for removal.
To mitigate traffic congestion at the port road-NH 66 junction, the Adani Group proposed a quarter-trumpet-shaped road design. The project’s primary objective is to enhance connectivity in the port area, facilitating smooth transit for trucks and other heavy vehicles.