THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of the first toll plaza of the NH66 bypass from Kazhakoottam to Karode stretch has begun at Thiruvallam. The toll plaza is expected to open for toll collection by January 2021. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will also construct a temporary toll plaza at Vazhamuttom and its toll collection is expected to start by next month, NHAI sources said.
Earlier, the toll plaza was planned at Akkulam. But it was later shifted to Thiruvallam to avoid the inconvenience of commuters from the city to Kazhakoottam. However, the construction of the ongoing national highway bypass from Mukkola, near Kovalam, to Karode, near Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, is progressing at a snail’s pace. Though the NHAI has set a new deadline for completion of this first concrete highway in the state in January 2021, sources said the road cannot be commissioned in such a short time.
