KOCHI: The Seaport-Airport (SA) Road extension is gaining momentum as the government has issued a preliminary notification for land acquisition for constructing the 6-6km road from NAD Junction to Mahilalayam Junction.
The government has appointed deputy collector (land acquisition), Ernakulam, as the administrator ‘for the purpose of rehabilitation and resettlement to the proposed acquisition’.
The SA Road project is divided into two phases. The first phase was completed and inaugurated in 2003. The second phase, the stretch from Kalamassery HMT Road to Nedumbassery Airport Road, is again divided into three sections. The development of HMT Road Point to Mahilalayam Junction falls under Section A of Phase-2. Mahilalayam Junction to Chowara comes under Section B and Chowara to Airport Road comes under Section C of Phase-2.
Among these, the work of the stretch from HMT Junction to NAD Junction is already progressing. The fresh notification is expected to give a major impetus to the development of the remaining part of Section A (NAD Jn to Mahilalayam Jn).
Earlier, the social impact study (SIA) report of the extension was approved and an expert committee had also recommended to go forward with the project. As the government has issued the preliminary notification with the details of the land to be acquired for the project, the survey of land would begin soon.
The SIA study report says that the road will form a major connectivity link and provide easy access to the Smart City, Eloor and Cochin airport and Vyttila Mobility Hub.
“The extension of the SA Road Phase-II will pave way for better connectivity of the Kochi city to the outer city areas and is also expected to cater for the smooth flow of increasing traffic projected for the years to come. The traffic from Infopark and Smart City can reach both the airport and Kochi city through this road,” it says.
The land proposed to be acquired from NAD Junction to Mahilalyam Junction belongs to Choornikkara, Keezhmadu and Aluva West villages of Aluva taluk and Thrikkakara North village of Kanayannur taluk.
