Kollam Bypass Explained

Country:	IND
Kollam Bypass
Translation:	കൊല്ലം ബൈപ്പാസ്
Lang:	ml
Maint:	NHAI
Map:	Map of Kollam Bypass.jpg
Map Alt:	Map of Kollam Bypass
Length Km:	13.141
History:	2019-Present
Direction A:	South
Direction B:	North
Terminus A:	NH-66 in Mevaram
Terminus B:	NH-66 in Kavanad
Cities:	Downtown Kollam
Image Notes:	Kadavoor bridge: Part of Kollam Bypass
Junction:	Kollam-Kulathupuzha road in Ayathil NH-744 in Kallumthazham NH-183 in Kadavoor Kureepuzha road in Aravila
Status:	Operational

Kollam Bypass (Malayalam: കൊല്ലം ബൈപ്പാസ്) is a part of NH 66 that bypasses CBD of Kollam city in Kerala, India. The busy 13.141 km long bypass starts at Mevaram in the south to Kavanad in the north, via Ayathil, Kallumthazham, Kadavoor and Kureepuzha in Kollam city.^[1] It is a joint venture between the central and state government. It was inaugurated on 15 January 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.^{[2] [3]}

History

Government of Kerala had proposed Kollam bypass project in 1972. The then Public Works Department minister Mr. T. K. Divakaran was the man behind Kollam bypass project. The earlier plan was to construct a bypass road through Kollam city via Olayil, Thevally, Vellayittambalam. But T. K. Divakaran denied that proposal and asked to re-draw the plan through Mevaram. Ayathil, Kallumthazham, Kavanad route and then mooted the bypass plan as per the new route.^[4] Later in 1993, a stretch of 3 km from Mevaram to Ayathil was completed and 1.5 km Ayathil-Kallumthazham stretch was completed in 1999 and the remaining Kallumthazham-Kavanad stretch completed in 2019.^[5] This stretch includes three bridges, five culverts, one vehicle underpass, and five major intersections, and needs to pass over the Ashtamudi Lake. The road includes a seven-metre two-lane carriageway, paved shoulders and earthen shoulders.^{[6] [7]} The importance of the Kollam bypass is that it touches 3 major National Highways(NH 66(Formerly known as NH 47), NH 183 (Formerly known as NH 220), NH 744 (Formerly known as NH 208)) passing through the state of Kerala.

The two-lane Kollam Bypass road was inaugurated on 15 January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The road is witnessing heavy traffic congestion since its opening. In January 2019, the Government of Kerala and NHAI have decided to widen the road into 45 meters. As per the plan, Kollam Bypass would become a four-lane road with overbridges at Mevaram, Kavanad and underpassages at Ayathil, Kallumthazham and Kadavoor junctions.^[8]

Timeline

Year	Events
1972	Proposal for constructing NH Bypass road at Kollam and stone laid in February at Kavanad
1975	Token amount allotted for Kollam Bypass project
1978	Permission received from Central Road Ministry on 3 May to construct NH Bypass in Kollam city
1993	3 km long Mevaram-Ayathil stretch of Kollam Bypass completed (Phase-I - Construction cost: ₹3.75cr)
1999	1.5 km long Ayathil-Kallumthazham stretch of Kollam Bypass completed (Phase-II - Construction cost: ₹2.75cr)
2015	Works on 8.6 km long Kallumthazham-Kavanad stretch started on 27 May 2015 (Phase-III - Construction cost: ₹277.24cr)
2019	Kollam Bypass inaugurated on 15 January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Project Details

• Length: 13.14 km
• Total Construction Cost: (Phase-III:)
• Construction Mode: Engineering Procurement Construction(EPC)
• South End: Mevaram
• North End: Kavanad
• Major Bridges: 3 nos (Kadavoor, Neeravil, Kavanad)
• Underpass: 1 nos (Neeravil)*
• ROB: 1 nos (Kallumthazham)*
• No of Pilings: 190 nos
• Piers: 46 nos
• Culverts: 7 nos^[9]

• Included in the plan. Not yet started/completed

Junctions

• Kavanad (Towards Mumbai through NH 66)
• Kadavoor (Towards Theni through NH 183)
• Kallumthazham (Towards Tirumangalam through NH 744)
• Ayathil (Towards Kulathupuzha through State Highway)
• Mevaram (Towards Trivandrum through NH 66)

Latest developments on bypass project

• 18 bidders have qualified for the bypass tender process - April 2014^[10]
• Government of India and Government of Kerala have decided to share the cost of Kollam bypass project equally - May 2014^[11]
• National Highway Authority of India is planning to re-tender the work with a change in estimate cost.^{[12] [13]}
• Government of India has granted approval for Kollam bypass, a joint venture of the State and the Central governments in January 2015.^{[14] [15]}
• Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy signed an agreement with a private company on 11 February 2015 to complete the works within 30 months. The total cost for works would be Rs. 352 crore. The Government of Kerala has added the Kollam bypass project to its list of mega projects.^[16]
• Cherian Varkey Construction Company(CVCC)-RDS is the contractor for the project. Same company is responsible for the execution of Alappuzha Bypass also. It was an EPC Contract for the construction of 2 Lane Bypass.
• Preliminary works for Kollam bypass has been commenced again on 4 March 2015 after a long gap. Currently, clearing of the way for bypass is going on here. Re-aligning of telephone cables, water pipelines and KSEB feeder lines will commence soon as part of this work.^[17]
• Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Kerala Chief Minister Mr. Oommen Chandy have jointly inaugurated the third phase construction work of Kollam bypass on 10 April 2015.^{[18] [19]}

• 26 November 2017 is the final deadline for the completion of Kollam Bypass. If the construction company fails to meet the deadline, a fine will be imposed on the company based on the delayed days.^[20]
• The construction work comes to a standstill due to the insufficiency of gravel. - October 2016^[21]
• In July 2017, Central Minister Pon Radhakrishnan announced that Kollam Bypass work would be completed only by August 2018 due to the scarcity of construction materials and soil to fill the land.^[22] Also, Kollam MP N. K. Premachandran announced that the bypass road will be commissioned in August 2018.^[23]
• Government of Kerala hopes to open Kollam Bypass by September 2018.^[24]
• Kollam bypass will be ready in a month. Street lights would be installed throughout the stretch. - 25 October 2018^[25]
• The inauguration of Kollam Bypass will be on 2 February 2019 by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. - 24 December 2018^[26]
• Prime Minister's office confirmed with Kollam MP N. K. Premachandran that Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kollam Bypass on 15 January 2019 - 9 January 2019^{[27] [28]}
• Government of Kerala asked toll exemption to Central Ministry for Kollam bypass - 9 January 2019^[29]
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave assurance to Kollam MP N. K. Premachandran regarding Kollam Bypass widening into four lane as a standalone project soon - 1 August 2020^[30]

See also

• NH-66
• NH-744
• NH-183
• Kollam
• Transport in Kollam
• Downtown Kollam

Notes and References

1. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/kollam-bypass-central-team-conducts-alignment-study/article3454619.ece Kollam bypass: Central team conducts alignment study
2. Web site: LIVE updates: Congress has multiple stands on Sabarimala issue, says PM Modi . Hindustan Times . 15 January 2019 . 15 January 2019 . 15 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190115084434/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/lok-sabha-elections-pm-narendra-modi-s-election-rallies-in-odisha-kerala-today-live-updates/story-NioGNK6Aoq8GwTJgcwKh4N.html . dead .
3. Web site: PM dedicates Kollam bypass to the nation . The Hindu. 17 January 2019 . 17 January 2019.
4. Web site: TK Divakaran's dream turns real . Deccan Chronicle. 16 January 2019 . 16 January 2019.
5. https://web.archive.org/web/20091213010425/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/07/stories/2009120756090300.htm Talks held on NH bypass completion
6. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bypasses-to-take-3-years-for-completion/article4957997.ece Bypasses to take 3 years for completion
7. https://web.archive.org/web/20140529124709/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Fears-over-construction-of-Kollam-Alappuzha-NH-bypasses/2013/07/07/article1671806.ece Fears over construction of Kollam, Alappuzha NH bypasses
8. Web site: Heavy traffic congestion at Kollam bypass . Deccan CHronicle. 22 January 2019 . 22 January 2019.
9. Web site: PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Kollam Bypass on Jan 15 . East Coast Daily via Dailyhunt . 6 January 2019 . 8 January 2019.
10. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Kollam-Alappuzha-bypass-work-to-be-re-tendered/articleshow/33671082.cms Kollam, Alappuzha bypass work to be re-tendered
11. http://www.constructionupdate.com/News/Centre-and-Kerala-Govt-to-share-Kollam,-Alappuzha-bypass-project-equally/73670 Centre and Kerala Govt to share Kollam, Alappuzha bypass project equally
12. Web site: Decks cleared for bypass work at Alappuzha, Kollam . 30 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044219/http://www.samachar.com/Decks-cleared-for-bypass-work-at-Alappuzha-Kollam-nmilKUfjjgi.html . 8 August 2014 . dead .
13. http://www.constructionworld.in/News.aspx?news=Nod-to-Kollam,-Alappuzha-bypass-road-in-Kerala-India-Sector&nid=66PefSZLnbu28549NQ6UcQ== Nod to Kollam, Alappuzha bypass road in Kerala
14. Web site: National highway works to resume immediately in Kerala: Gadkari - Business Standards . Business Standards . 14 January 2014.
15. Web site: 100 Bridges to be Opened in 400 Days, Says Minister - The New Indian Express . https://web.archive.org/web/20150623032201/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/100-Bridges-to-be-Opened-in-400-Days-Says-Minister/2015/01/07/article2607107.ece . dead . 23 June 2015 . The New Indian Express . 14 January 2014.
16. News: Bypass works to be over in 30 months - The Hindu . The Hindu. 11 February 2015 . 12 February 2015.
17. News: Preliminary work on Kollam bypass begins - The Hindu . The Hindu. 8 March 2015 . 9 March 2015.
18. News: Phase II work of Kollam bypass from 10 April - The Hindu . The Hindu. 23 March 2015 . 24 March 2015.
19. Web site: Work on Kollam-Alappuzha bypass inaugurated . Manorama . 14 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150413043429/http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/work-on-kollam-alappuzha-bypass-inaugurated.html . 13 April 2015 . dead .
20. News: MP inspects bypass work . The Hindu. 28 February 2016 . 29 February 2016.
21. Web site: Kollam bypass work comes to a standstill . The Hindu. 13 October 2016 . 27 June 2017.
22. Web site: Lack of materials delays Kollam bypass work . Deccan Chronicle. 25 July 2017 . 12 December 2017.
23. Web site: Kollam bypass to be commissioned in August: MP . The Times of India. 11 January 2018 . 11 January 2018.
24. Web site: KCM Pinarayi Vijayan puts focus back on National Highway expansion . Deccan Chronicle. 12 February 2018 . 12 February 2018.
25. Web site: Kollam bypass to get street lights . Deccan Chronicle. 25 October 2018 . 26 October 2018.
26. Web site: Kollam bypass to be opened on 2 Feb . The Times of India. 24 December 2018 . 27 December 2018.
27. Web site: BJP gets the better of LDF, PM to open Kollam bypass . Deccan Chronicle. 9 January 2019 . 9 January 2019.
28. Web site: Modi will open Kollam bypass on 15 January, say BJP leaders; LDF fumes . On Manorama . 9 January 2019 . 9 January 2019.
29. Web site: State seeks toll exemption for Kollam bypass . The Hindu. 9 January 2019 . 10 January 2019.
30. Web site: Kollam bypass will be made four lane: MP . The Hindu. 1 August 2020 . 3 August 2020.