Kochi's Long-Awaited Seaport-Airport Road Project Finally Moves Forward
After more than two decades of stagnation, the construction of the remaining section of Kochi's Seaport-Airport Road is poised to commence next month. The critical 2.7-kilometer corridor between HMT and the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) area, which had been held up by complex land-use disputes, is now cleared for development.
Land Transfer and Tender Process Accelerate Project
A senior official from the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), the implementing agency, confirmed that all disputed lands, including those belonging to HMT and NAD, have been transferred to RBDCK. "We have re-issued tenders for the construction of the remaining stretches in the second phase," the official stated. "After receiving only one response last month, we now have multiple bids. Tender awarding will be completed by March 1, with evaluation on a war-footing to ensure work starts next month."
Site clearance is currently underway, and the Kalamassery municipality will soon convene a tree committee meeting to decide on cutting marked trees. Once permission is granted, the process will begin immediately.
Political and Financial Hurdles Overcome
Industries Minister P Rajeeve conducted a site inspection at Kalamassery ahead of construction activities. He highlighted the historical challenges, noting that previous central and UDF governments had not taken measures to acquire HMT and NAD land. "After the LDF government came to power, we initiated these measures, but we were forced to pay heavy compensation for land that could have been acquired for free earlier," Rajeeve said.
The Seaport-Airport Road, envisioned as a 25.7-kilometer arterial link from Irumpanam to Nedumbassery airport, is being implemented in two phases. The 11.3-kilometer southern stretch from Irumpanam to Kalamassery was commissioned in 2003, but the remaining 14.4-kilometer northern segment faced administrative and legal hurdles.
Breakthrough Through Negotiations and Funding
Persistent negotiations by the state government with central agencies led to a breakthrough. Key hurdles included acquiring HMT and NAD land. Following a Supreme Court directive, the Kerala government allocated Rs 37.9 crore to acquire 1.4 hectares of HMT property in Thrikkakara North village. Similarly, negotiations with the defence ministry cleared the path through NAD land, with the state disbursing Rs 23.11 crore for 2.5 hectares, plus Rs 17.31 crore for widening the NAD-Thorappu road and nearly Rs 1 crore for a mandatory perimeter wall for security.
With RBDCK re-issuing tender notifications and the government granting administrative sanction of Rs 21.4 crore for the HMT-NAD section, construction is now in high gear. The 2.7-kilometer stretch through HMT land is designed with a 45-meter width.
Expected Benefits Upon Completion
Upon completion, the Seaport-Airport Road is expected to significantly decongest Kochi, reducing bottlenecks in the Edappally-Kalamassery stretch and along NH-544. Travellers from the southern parts of the district and beyond will gain a direct, high-speed route to Cochin International Airport. Additionally, improved connectivity between the port and Kalamassery's industrial belt will lower logistics costs and time, boosting economic efficiency.
This project marks a major step forward in Kerala's infrastructure development, addressing long-standing transportation issues and enhancing regional connectivity.
