NH-183 four-laning project gathers pace

A high-level Public Works Department (PWD) coordination meeting will be convened in Thiruvananthapuram on November 18 to expedite the four-laning of National Highway 183 from Kollam Bypass Junction to Anjilimoottil in Chengannur, Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, has said. The meeting aims to resolve bottlenecks in land acquisition and ensure the timely commencement of construction works along the stretch.

The ₹1,663.15-crore project covers a 50.17-km stretch from Kollam Bypass Junction. Approved under the 2025–26 annual plan and set to be executed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, the project received sanction from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on June 9, 2026. Following this, the State PWD issued an administrative order on September 18, and the chief engineer of the National Highways wing issued directives for further action on October 7.

To facilitate the widening, approximately 70.26 hectares of land will be acquired across Kollam and Alappuzha districts. A total of ₹653.59 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition and compensation—comprising ₹259.4 crore for land and ₹394.19 crore for buildings and other structures, with around 2,752 structures slated for demolition. The project estimate also includes ₹73.18 crore toward State GST and ₹72.24 crore for shifting essential utilities such as electricity, drinking water pipelines, and telephone lines.

Alongside retaining the existing railway overbridge, the project includes constructing a new 36-metre-long parallel railway overbridge. Infrastructure upgrades along the corridor will feature three major bridges, six minor bridges, and two vehicular underpasses or overpasses. For commuter convenience and road safety, 48 bus shelters, 24 bus bays, and 88.81 km of drainage networks will also be built.

“Securing technical clearance and General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) approval from Southern Railway for the parallel railway overbridge will be a key item on the agenda, alongside inter-departmental coordination to clear encroachments, demolish acquired structures, and resolve pending court cases and compensation disputes. The highway upgrade will offer a permanent solution to traffic congestion in Kollam and neighboring regions while giving a major boost to trade, industry, and tourism along the corridor,” said Mr. Suresh.