Survey for Kollam-Dindigul NH 183 upgradation to kick off July 6

Ending years of uncertainty over the long-pending upgradation of National Highway 183 (KK Road), the survey for the ₹150 crore project sanctioned by the Central government will begin on July 6.The project covers the stretch from Kottayam IDA Junction to Mannathippara. According to Francis George, MP, the existing six metre wide carriageway will be widened and resurfaced to 10 metres. The work also includes strengthening both sides of the road with concrete and constructing bus bays at suitable locations.As part of the survey, the road boundaries passing through five villages will be demarcated and boundary stones installed. A meeting chaired by the District Collector has decided to appoint a nine member survey team to expedite the process.“The survey must be completed at the earliest so that construction can begin without delay. If the work is not initiated in time, there is a risk of losing the ₹150 crore allocated under the 2025-26 Annual Plan,” Mr. George said.The MP also announced that the stretch of National Highway 183 from Kollam High School Junction to Dindigul in Tamil Nadu has been transferred from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a move expected to streamline the planning and execution of future development works.The highway has a total length of about 350 km, comprising 216 km from Kollam to Kumily in Kerala and another 134 km from Kumily to Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. Until now, maintenance and development of the highway were overseen by the Public Works Departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With the transfer, all future road development works will be planned and implemented by the NHAI.Mr. George said the Centre has also sanctioned ₹1,663.15 crore for the four laning of the 54.37 km stretch from Kollam Kadavoor Bypass Junction to Chengannur. The procedural formalities have been completed, and construction is expected to commence shortly.Meanwhile, a new consultancy firm will soon be appointed to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the proposed four-laning of the stretch from Anjilimoodu to Kumily via Thiruvalla, Changanassery, Kottayam, Kanjirappally and Mundakkayam. Tenders for appointing the consultant will be opened on July 7, and the study is expected to be completed within a year.The MP noted that an earlier study had recommended constructing a new bypass from Kottayam IDA Junction to Mannathippara instead of widening the existing KK Road. He said he would press for the proposal to be reconsidered and incorporated into the fresh study. Published - July 02, 2026 07:25 pm IST