The Centre has given in-principle approval for the cloverleaf design for the intersection where the Vizhinjam Port’s approach road meets NH 66 at Thalakode. The state govt is set to consider land acquisition recommendations for the project in the next state cabinet meeting. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) must issue an official letter to the state govt to proceed further.
An official from Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) confirmed that while the Union govt has approved the design, the state govt must initiate land acquisition, a matter to be discussed in the coming weeks.
The NHAI has submitted geographical drawings of the proposed cloverleaf intersection for final approval by the Centre. The intersection, designed by the NHAI, aims to streamline connectivity between the port and NH 66.
For interim connectivity, the NHAI assured the state govt that there would be no hurdles for container trucks using the vehicular underpass. The earlier proposal to cut the NH 66 median to facilitate U-turns for trucks has been dropped.
Last month, Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan wrote to the NHAI chairman requesting immediate approvals for both interim and permanent road links. While the state govt proposed temporary solutions, including cutting the NH 66 median and installing traffic signboards for container movement, the permanent cloverleaf intersection will take about three years to complete.
The state govt recently held discussions with the Adani Group and NHAI to expedite interim road connectivity. Construction of the approach road has begun only recently, though land acquisition for it was completed earlier. Ports Minister VN Vasavan stressed the need for temporary arrangements to ensure the smooth movement of container trucks to and from the port.
Currently, only transshipment operations are underway at Vizhinjam Port. Road connectivity needs to be completed before container traffic can commence.
