Kollam Bypass | |
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കൊല്ലം ബൈപ്പാസ് | |
Route information | |
Maintained by NHAI | |
Length | 13.141 km (8.165 mi) |
Status | Operational |
History | 2019-Present Timeline
|
Major junctions | |
South end | NH-66 in Mevaram |
Kollam-Kulathupuzha road in Ayathil NH-744 in Kallumthazham NH-183 in Kadavoor Kureepuzha road in Aravila | |
North end | NH-66 in Kavanad |
Location | |
Country | India |
Major cities | Downtown Kollam |
Highway system | |
Kollam Bypass (Malayalam: കൊല്ലം ബൈപ്പാസ്) is a part of NH 66 that bypasses CBD of Kollam city in Kerala, India. The busy 13.141 km long bypass starts at Mevaram in the south to Kavanad in the north, via Ayathil, Kallumthazham, Kadavoor and Kureepuzha in Kollam city.[1] It is a joint venture between the central and state government. It was inaugurated on 15 January 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[2][3]
Government of Kerala had proposed Kollam bypass project in 1972. The then Public Works Department minister Mr. T. K. Divakaran was the man behind Kollam bypass project. The earlier plan was to construct a bypass road through Kollam city via Olayil, Thevally, Vellayittambalam. But T. K. Divakaran denied that proposal and asked to re-draw the plan through Mevaram. Ayathil, Kallumthazham, Kavanad route and then mooted the bypass plan as per the new route.[4] Later in 1993, a stretch of 3 km from Mevaram to Ayathil was completed and 1.5 km Ayathil-Kallumthazham stretch was completed in 1999 and the remaining Kallumthazham-Kavanad stretch completed in 2019.[5] This stretch includes three bridges, five culverts, one vehicle underpass, and five major intersections, and needs to pass over the Ashtamudi Lake. The road includes a seven-metre two-lane carriageway, paved shoulders and earthen shoulders.[6][7] The importance of the Kollam bypass is that it touches 3 major National Highways(NH 66(Formerly known as NH 47), NH 183 (Formerly known as NH 220), NH 744 (Formerly known as NH 208)) passing through the state of Kerala.
The two-lane Kollam Bypass road was inaugurated on 15 January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The road is witnessing heavy traffic congestion since its opening. In January 2019, the Government of Kerala and NHAI have decided to widen the road into 45 meters. As per the plan, Kollam Bypass would become a four-lane road with overbridges at Mevaram, Kavanad and underpassages at Ayathil, Kallumthazham and Kadavoor junctions.[8]
Year | Events |
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1972 | Proposal for constructing NH Bypass road at Kollam and stone laid in February at Kavanad |
1975 | Token amount allotted for Kollam Bypass project |
1978 | Permission received from Central Road Ministry on 3 May to construct NH Bypass in Kollam city |
1993 | 3 km long Mevaram-Ayathil stretch of Kollam Bypass completed (Phase-I - Construction cost: ₹3.75cr) |
1999 | 1.5 km long Ayathil-Kallumthazham stretch of Kollam Bypass completed (Phase-II - Construction cost: ₹2.75cr) |
2015 | Works on 8.6 km long Kallumthazham-Kavanad stretch started on 27 May 2015 (Phase-III - Construction cost: ₹277.24cr) |
2019 | Kollam Bypass inaugurated on 15 January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
*Included in the plan. Not yet started/completed