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The completion of the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway in Kerala has been delayed due to an ongoing dispute between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) over the relocation of extra high-tension power lines. The 12.75 km project, estimated at around INR 2,200 crore and nearing 90 per cent completion, has been stalled for several months as shutdown permissions required for shifting power lines remain pending. While approvals have been granted at two locations, a critical stretch near Aroor continues to hold up construction. The delay has affected timelines for structural completion and traffic opening, with commuters continuing to face congestion along NH-66. The project is intended to ease traffic movement along one of Kerala's busiest corridors.
The Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway project in Kerala has encountered significant delays in the past week due to a continuing standoff between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), with pending approvals for shifting extra high-tension (EHT) power lines preventing completion of key structural components along the corridor. Advertisement
The 12.75 km elevated highway, being developed along NH-66 at an estimated cost of around INR 2,200 crore, is designed as a single-pillar structure and is expected to be among the longest of its kind in the country. Despite approximately 90 per cent of the construction being completed, the project remains stalled at crucial sections where EHT lines need to be relocated to enable final span construction.
According to officials, three locations were identified for shifting the high-tension lines. While permissions were eventually granted for works near Thuravoor and Aroor Junction, approval remains pending for a critical stretch near Aroor, where four spans of the elevated structure are yet to be completed. The absence of clearance has prevented the movement of overhead gantries required for span installation, effectively halting further progress.
NHAI authorities indicated that requests for power shutdown were submitted several months ago. However, KSEB has maintained that shutdown approval would only be granted after the installation of temporary power lines at the affected sites, a requirement that was not part of the original project scope. NHAI has stated that it has undertaken additional work to meet these conditions but continues to await final clearance.
The delay has had direct implications for project timelines. The elevated corridor was earlier targeted for structural completion in the first quarter of the year, with traffic opening expected shortly thereafter. However, the unresolved coordination issues have pushed back these timelines, leaving portions of the highway incomplete.
In addition to structural delays, the incomplete elevated sections have also affected surface road restoration. Of the approximately 24 km of service roads on both sides, only about 8 km has been reinstated, while the remaining stretches continue to experience bottlenecks due to unfinished works, particularly near Aroor.
The impact of the delay is being felt by daily commuters along the NH-66 corridor, where traffic congestion has intensified, especially during peak hours. The elevated highway is intended to decongest the existing carriageway by separating through traffic from local movement, but its delayed completion has prolonged existing traffic challenges.
Officials and local stakeholders have indicated that resolution of the inter-agency dispute remains critical for completing the remaining spans and advancing the project towards commissioning. Without coordinated action between the two agencies, the final phase of construction is expected to remain stalled, extending inconvenience for road users and delaying the operationalisation of a key infrastructure project in Kerala.
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