Bridge work under way across Putheri tank as part of NH-66 four-lane work in Kanniyakumari district.
| Photo Credit: RAJESH N
Relief is imminent, as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed 90% structural works and 82% of overall work on NH-66 four-lane project in Kanniyakumari district, according to officials from NHAI.The approximately 1,640-km long NH-66 connects Maharashtra with Kanniyakumari through Karnataka and Kerala. Of this around 54 km stretch runs through Kanniyakumari district. While a portion of the by-pass road from Chengavilai, near Kaliyakkavilai towards Thiruvananthapuram was opened for public a couple of years ago, commuters have been eagerly awaiting the completion of the remaining stretch in Kanniyakumari district.Once completed, the highway is expected to connect Nagercoil with Thiruvananthapuram in around one and half hours. At present, commuters travel via Thuckalay, Marthandam, Padanthalumoodu and Kaliyakkavilai before joining the by-pass road, which takes nearly two and half hours.According to sources from NHAI, 84 of the 93 structures proposed as part of NH-66 project in Kanniyakumari district have been completed. These include six Light Vehicular Underpass (LVUP), three Vehicular Underpass (VUP), seven Vehicular Overpass (VOP), 23 major bridges, 12 minor bridges, one Rail Over Bridge (ROB), among several other structures.Sachin Kumar, project director, NHAI, Kanniyakumari told The Hindu that 90% of the structures and 82% of the overall works have been completed so far in the district.Although officials had earlier stated that the project would be completed by April 2026, Mr. Kumar explained the time of completion had been extended and the project was now scheduled for completion by December 2026.Responding to one of the major concerns raised by activists and farmers from the district over the alleged damage to waterbodies during the NH-66 work, he said the NHAI is simultaneously undertaking the restoration of waterbodies along with project works. So far, 20 waterbodies had been restored in the district, and the remaining restoration works would be completed along with the project, he said.He explained that temporary platforms had to be created for constructing structures across waterbodies. Once the structure were completed, the water bodies would be restored, Mr. Kumar noted. Published - August 22, 2026 08:10 pm IST
