THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After six years of no movement, the Hill Highway project, which was mooted by the former Oommen Chandy Government, is set to get a new lease of life with the government taking the initiative to start construction. The alignment of the first phase from Nandarappadavu in Kasargod district to Palakkad town was approved by the government in 2005. The second alignment from Palakkad and ending at Kadukkara in Thiruvananthapuram also received approval in 2009.The Hill Highway at Spain was scientifically designed to reduce accidents and a similar project can be implemented here, said Public Works minister V K Ebrahimkunju, who visited Spain recently. The road was developed in such a way that the land acquisition is kept to the minimum with maximum utilisation of the available land.‘’The State Government has already allotted `5 crore in the budget which will be used for the preliminary works. The biggest challenge is that the highway is supposed to pass through forest land which needs clearance from the Union Government,’’ the minister said.He pointed out that the existing roads will be developed for the highway which is expected to bring big changes in the socio-economic sectors in the hilly areas. Bilateral discussions will be held with the Union Government to ensure that the forest land is available for the project. Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and the terms of reference for appointing a consultancy will be prepared by the end of this year, said Harikesh P C, chief operating officer, KRFB. The project will be on a Public Private Participation (PPP) model and there will not be any toll collection. The investment will be mobilised from various sources. Internationally competent companies will be entrusted with the work which will have long-term maintenance contract, he said. The Hill Highway will help improve connectivity to the remote areas of the state which can speed up the pace of development. The construction is expected to start within two years, Harikesh said. Of the 1160 km of the proposed highway, a portion from Arunapuzha to Thampurattikallu of 10 km is having no road connectivity. Using this portion, will help save 90 km distance from Ernakulam to Wayanad. The other missing links are Nelliampathy to Vazhakkal - 45 km, Pooyamkutty to Perumbankuthu - 24 km.
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