The proposed connectivity from the Chakka-Eenchakkal corridor of the Kazhakuttam-Mukkola NH 66 bypass to the Thiruvananthapuram international airport has run into rough weather with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) demanding 50% of the estimated cost of ₹142 crore.
A communication in this regard from MoRTH reached the regional office of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) when the project officials were awaiting a decision from MoRTH on the proposal submitted by the State for an unidirectional flyover on the Eenchakkal-Chakka corridor of the bypass.
The MoRTH’s decision for cost-sharing of the airport connectivity has been communicated to Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham and the State government has to take a call, a top official of the NHAI told The Hindu here.
As per the inked Engineering, Procurement Construction (EPC) contract, only 20% cost escalation of the ₹623.41 crore (cost of Kazhakuttam-Mukkola NH 66 bypass) is permitted. Already, an additional ₹60 crore has been utilised for related works. This seems to be the reason for cost-sharing.
The decision has surprised even the project officials as this is for the first time that MoRTH is demanding 50% of the cost of an NHAI project.
The road work on the 1.67-km corridor has been hit for the last one-and-a-half years owing to the delay on the part of the State, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the NHAI in finalising the design and getting approval from the Centre.
