₹4,767-Crore Thiruvananthapuram ORR on Track for July Approval

The much-anticipated Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Thiruvananthapuram has taken a major step forward, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari assuring that final approval will be granted by July. The ₹4,767-crore project aims to ease city traffic congestion and enhance connectivity to the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

PWD Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas confirmed that the Centre has cleared the project in principle, with the official sanction order expected by the end of July.

In December 2024, the Centre had asked the state government to revise the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to include SGST exemptions and align with amended mining laws. The updated DPR was submitted in January 2025. Once approved, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will initiate compensation for affected landowners and begin the tendering process. Compensation disbursements are projected to begin in August.

However, delays have sparked discontent among landowners. On May 7, affected residents staged a protest outside the NHAI regional office in Chackai, demanding timely compensation. “We support development but not at the cost of our rightful compensation,” said action council convenor S. Chandramohan Nair.

The 80-kilometre, six-lane ORR—part of the Capital Region Development Project Phase II (CRDP-II) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana—will be designated as National Highway 866 (NH 866).

News by Rahul Yelligetti.