Kodungallur-Angamaly NH 544 Bypass Alignment Set for Finalization Soon

The alignment for the proposed Kodungallur-Angamaly National Highway (NH) 544 bypass is expected to be finalised within the next fortnight, with the detailed project report (DPR) in its final stages of preparation. The 18-km bypass, estimated to cost ₹360 crore, aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Angamaly and nearby areas, where motorists often face prolonged delays due to frequent traffic snarls.

Final Stages of Planning and Land Acquisition

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already submitted the final inception report and is currently reviewing the alignment option study. The project’s width and other specifications will also be finalised soon, according to official sources. The bypass is planned as an extension of the 50-km Aroor-Angamaly NH 544 bypass, also known as the Kochi Bypass, which will connect to NH 544 at Karayamparambu, north of Angamaly.

To facilitate the construction of the eight-lane-wide Kochi Bypass, a fresh 3A notification for land acquisition is expected shortly, as the previous notification expired in 2024. The NHAI plans to acquire an additional 12.5 metres of land on either side of the proposed 45-metre-wide corridor, allowing for future expansion into a 10-lane highway.

Calls for Improved Traffic Management

Local commuters have raised concerns about the existing stretch of NH 544 between Edappally and Karayamparambu, which is part of a toll corridor. They are urging the NHAI to optimise the current road width and improve traffic flow to reduce frequent bottlenecks. Arjun Prakash, an IT professional and administrator of the Kochi First social media group, emphasised the need for better road maintenance, including wider tarred carriageways and well-kept shoulders.

Boost to Regional Connectivity and Development

The Kodungallur-Angamaly bypass is part of a broader initiative to establish greenfield NH bypasses connecting Aroor and Kodungallur. These projects are expected to form a semicircular network of highways around Kochi, significantly reducing travel times for commuters and air passengers traveling to Cochin International Airport from Thrissur and other northern districts.

Prakash also highlighted the importance of constructing spur roads from the new bypasses to key locations like the airport and nearby towns. He stressed that the proposed highways and their link roads could accelerate Kochi’s urban expansion, provided the government implements proper land zoning to clearly demarcate residential and commercial areas. Additionally, the bypasses are expected to ease congestion on existing roads linking Aluva and Perumbavur.

The project, once completed, is anticipated to not only address traffic woes but also contribute to the region's economic growth and urban development.

Source: The Hindu