Recent news highlights significant activity—and controversy—surrounding both major National Highway development and smaller municipal road projects in Kayamkulam.
1. National Highway 66 (NH 66) Elevated Corridor Demand
The most contentious issue remains the ongoing development of the six-lane National Highway 66 stretch through the Kayamkulam town area.
- Public Demand: Local activist groups (Janakeeya Samara Samithi) and political representatives are renewing their demand for an elevated highway (flyover) spanning the crucial two-kilometer stretch through the town center (e.g., between Shaheedar Palli Junction and College Junction).
- The Rationale: Residents argue that the current plan for the widened highway will effectively “split the town in two,” making access to essential services, schools, and local markets extremely difficult for pedestrians, students, and the elderly.
- Safety Concerns: Following recent road collapses in other parts of Kerala, activists are using these incidents to emphasize the need for scientifically sound, high-quality elevated structures in congested, built-up areas like Kayamkulam, where the terrain is sometimes weak due to backfilling.
2. Railway Infrastructure Progress
Several major railway development proposals are moving forward, directly impacting connectivity through Kayamkulam:
- Third/Fourth Rail Lines: Indian Railways is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Third Line between Kayamkulam and Thiruvananthapuram and an additional line between Ernakulam and Kayamkulam. These projects aim to significantly increase rail capacity and efficiency along the coastal corridor.
- Railway Overbridge (ROB): Land acquisition is reportedly progressing for the construction of the Ochira-Kayamkulam Railway Overbridge, a crucial project to ease traffic congestion caused by level crossings.
- Station Access Stalled: Conversely, local reports indicate that the renovation work on the road connecting to the Kayamkulam Railway Station has been stalled, causing inconvenience and safety hazards for train passengers.
3. Kayamkulam Municipality Local Road Works
The Kayamkulam Municipality is focused on improving local access roads across various wards through annual plans:
- Local Tenders: Multiple tenders have recently been floated and awarded for the renovation and concreting of specific ward roads, such as the Paripra Thundilmukku Road, CSI Church Road, and roads within local colonies. These smaller projects address localized connectivity and community access needs.
- Road Safety Issues: Residents along the Thiruvalla–Kayamkulam road stretch have raised concerns over missing or outdated road signage, despite the highway itself being newly paved, posing a risk to public safety.