Alappuzha Bypass
| Alappuzha Bypass | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Street view of Alappuzha bypass. | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained by NHAI | |
| Length | 6.8 km (4.2 mi) |
| Existed | 28 January 2021–present |
| Major junctions | |
| South end |  NH-66 in Kalarcode |
| North end | NH-66 in Kommady |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Major cities | Alappuzha |
| Highway system | |
Alappuzha Bypass is a part of NH 66 that bypasses the CBD of Alappuzha city in Kerala, India. The 6.8 km long, two lane bypass is the first and longest elevated beach highway in the country, starting at Kalarcode in the south and ending at Kommady in the north. It runs along the beachside of Alappuzha City. It is a joint venture (50:50) between the central and state governments.[1] The contractor for the project was RDS-CVCC, which is a joint venture that is also responsible for Kollam Bypass project, which was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.[2] CVCC worked on the Kollam Bypass while RDS construction company completed the Alappuzha bypass. This was the first bypass project in the state of Kerala but the construction was delayed by 40 years.
The Central government contributed Rs 185 crores and the State government Rs 250 crores for the project. [3] The bypass is under the Thuravoor Thekku - Paravur stretch of the national highway widening project. As a part of six laning NH 66, a two lane elevated bridge parallel to the existing elevated bridge is under construction.
History
The necessity for a bypass at Alappuzha dates back to the 1970s.[4] NH 66 is one of the longest national highways in India stretching from Panvel to Kanyakumari and criss-crossing through the Alappuzha city centre. The highway gets narrower as it enters the urban area, and together with the criss-crossing, a lot of traffic is created. Since then it had been a long time plea to reroute the national highway around the downtown.[5]
The land for the Alappuzha bypass was acquired by the revenue department in 1980, and the width of the bypass was decided to be 45 meters wide.[6] In 2008, the project became a part of the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) project to convert NH 66 into a 4 lane road from Cherthala to Oachira. In 2010, it was announced that the bypass would be its own special project.[2] On April 10th, 2015, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the construction on the bypass, and work on it began.[5]
Timeline
| Year | Events |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Early proposals for constructing NH Bypass road at Alappuzha. |
| 1980 | The revenue department had acquired land for the bypass. |
| 2008 | Alappuzha bypass was included as a part of the project of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). |
| 2010 | Centre had announced that the bypass project would be completed as a special project. |
| 2015 | Union transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the long-pending construction works of the Alappuzha bypass from Kommadi to Kalarkode. |
| 2017 | Delay in fund allocation and public protest put off the proposed completion by September 2017. |
| 2018 | Indian Railways declined approval for constructing the two ROBs at Malikamukku and Kuthirapanthy. |
| 2020 | Indian Railways granted permission to place girders at Malikamukku in January 2020. |
| 2020 | Following to Malikamukku, Indian Railways nods to place girders at Kuthirapanthy in June 2020. |
| 2021 | Alappuzha Bypass inaugurated on 28 January by Nitin Gadkari (Central Road Transport Minister), and Pinarayi Vijayan (Chief Minister of Kerala). |
Project specifications
| Project Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Alappuzha Bypass |
| Type | Elevated Beach Highway |
| Total Distance | 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi) |
| Construction Mode | Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) |
| Contractor | Cherian Varkey Construction Company-RDS (JV), Kochi |
| South End | Kalarcode |
| North End | Kommady |
| ROBs | 2 (Malikamukku & Kuthirapanthy) |
| Underpass | N/a |
| Major Bridges | N/a |
| No of Pilings | N/a |
| Piers | N/a |
| Culverts | N/a |
| Project Cost | ₹348.43 crore (US$36 million) |
Gallery
Aerial View
Aerial View
- Alappuzha Bypass road (June 2023)
See also
References
- ↑ Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.
- 1 2 "Opening of Alappuzha bypass likely to be delayed further". The Times of India. 9 September 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Alappuzha Bypass: Centre Contributes Rs 185 cr, State Rs 250 cr; Kerala Awaits PM's Date for Inauguration".
- ↑ A, Sam Paul (3 February 2018). "Race against time". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Kerala: Alappuzha bypass to be opened for traffic in January 2021". The Times of India. 18 December 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "A 40-year-dream nears completion". The Times of India. 16 January 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 August 2026.