The Kerala government has fast-tracked a major infrastructure project to ensure seamless connectivity to the upcoming Vizhinjam International Seaport. Authorities plan to construct a full four-loop cloverleaf interchange at the critical junction where the port access road meets National Highway 66 at Thalakode, near Thiruvananthapuram.
Land Acquisition and Funding on Fast Track
Official sources indicate that the state aims to finalize crucial aspects like land acquisition and cost-sharing immediately after the conclusion of the local body elections. A key stakeholder meeting will be convened by Special Secretary (Ports) A Kowsikan shortly thereafter. This meeting will pinpoint the exact parcels of land required and decide on the allocation of the financial burden for the project, estimated at a substantial Rs 360 crore.
Under the current plan, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) is prepared to acquire nearly 30 acres of land specifically for the interchange. The construction responsibility will be shared: the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will build two of the loops, while the remaining two will be constructed by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd (AVPPL), the port's private operator. The cost of land acquisition is expected to be shared equally between the state government and NHAI, pending final confirmation at the upcoming meeting.
Design and Crucial Dependencies
The in-principle design for the cloverleaf interchange has already received approval from the NHAI. This grade-separated interchange will feature two loops on the eastern side and two on the western side of NH 66, designed to enable free-flowing traffic between the highway and the port, crucial for heavy cargo-truck movement once operations commence.
However, a significant dependency remains. The project cannot break ground until the proposed outer ring road for the region receives the necessary clearance from the central government, which is anticipated by January or February of the coming year. "Once the outer ring road gets central approval, we will move ahead at the earliest. Our upcoming meeting will finalize land parcels and financial sharing," stated Special Secretary A Kowsikan.
Timeline and Environmental Clearances
If all approvals align, construction of the interchange is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the environmental clearance process for the enabling outer ring road is progressing. The segment between Thekkada and Navaikulam has already been recommended for clearance by the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee (SEIAC). The final nod from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is expected later this month in a meeting scheduled after the local body elections.
This cloverleaf interchange is viewed as a critical piece of infrastructure to prevent bottlenecks and ensure efficient access to the strategic Vizhinjam deep-water port, facilitating its role as a major transshipment gateway. The structure will allow vehicles to move between the port and the national highway without any traffic signals or direct crossing conflicts, significantly reducing delays.
