Now, bypass Alappuzha city in 10 minutes

By Express News Service
ALAPPUZHA: Ending an almost half-a-century wait, the 6.8-km Alappuzha bypass was thrown open to the general public on Thursday. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the bypass — connecting Kommady and Kalarcode on NH 66 — by way of video-conferencing. Simultaneously, a public programme was held at Kalarcode junction right here, which was presided over by Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran.

The two-lane bypass, with a 4.8-km elevated freeway close to the seaside, was constructed at a value of Rs 348 crore, which was borne by the state and Central governments.With the opening of the bypass, automobiles travelling to Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram by way of the NH can proceed journey with out getting into Alappuzha city. The bypass ensures a 10-minute journey from Kommady to Kalarcode, which takes round half-hour on regular days and hours throughout visitors snarl-ups.

Dedicating the bypass to the nation, Gadkari mentioned the Centre has been implementing many tasks for the infrastructure growth of the nation. “The state government has given support to the Centre in its efforts,” he mentioned. “Thousands of people die in road accidents in the country every year. So, states should take stringent steps to reduce accidents and deaths,” he mentioned. Pinarayi mentioned the bypass inauguration was a proud second for the state. 

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways NitinGadkari inaugurating the Alappuzha bypass viavideo-conferencing on Thursday | ExpressHe mentioned the Centre has been extending wholehearted help for bringing growth to the state. “The bypass project was envisaged in 1970 and the initial estimate was `17 crore. Now, it has been completed for `348 crore. The entire project was implemented under the leadership of the Public Works Department and it proved that the department can complete any project in a time-bound manner,” mentioned Pinarayi.

Sudhakaran hailed the immense help from the Centre in finishing the challenge. He mentioned solely 15 per cent of the work was accomplished through the UDF authorities’s time period and the remainder was finished by the LDF authorities. “UDF failed to complete the project even when the Congress-led government was at the Centre. Now, the state and Centre are being ruled by different parties, but the leaders’ will has fulfilled people’s dream. So, UDF should examine the reasons for not completing the project during its term and not create a ruckus or boycott. They can place flexboards on road sides, not in people’s hearts,”  he mentioned. 

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister of State for MoRTH V Okay Singh and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan attended the operate on-line. Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman, A M Ariff, MP, and municipal chairperson Soumya Raj spoke on the operate at Kalarcode. After the ceremony, the ministers travelled from Kalarcode junction to Kommady and later opened the street for the visitors.