After months of delays, the construction of the 29-km Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam NH 66 stretch has finally picked up pace.
RDS Constructions has subcontracted portions of the work to Pune-based RKC Infrastructure Company to meet deadlines. Last week, girder installation began on the bridge along the Attingal bypass, with the contractor optimistic about completing the project by December 2025.
RDS Projects vice-president MR Raveendran Nair confirmed the subcontracting. “We have assigned the entire 29-km stretch to RKC Infrastructure to ensure timely completion. Work has resumed at multiple sites, and we are committed to meeting the deadline,” he said.Earthworks are underway between the Edayavanam underpass and the bridge site, with worker mobilisation and crash barrier installation progressing at the Attingal bypass. Major works must be completed before the southwest monsoon begins in June.
The project, which includes the Attingal bypass, had seen minimal progress, with only 36% completion—the lowest in the state. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier warned the contractor to achieve at least 5% monthly progress or face termination. Due to financial constraints, RDS Constructions opted to subcontract the work.
The contractor has also sought a six-month extension, pushing the revised deadline from October 2025 to March 2026. The project was originally slated for completion by January 2025.
The Rs 990-crore project is one of Kerala’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives, featuring four flyovers, 36 culverts, six minor bridges, three vehicle overpasses, five vehicle underpasses, three cattle underpasses, a pedestrian overbridge, and a 29-km service road. The 11.15-km Attingal bypass includes 20 bus bays.
Delays have raised concerns about further disruptions if the contract is terminated, as appointing a new contractor could extend the timeline significantly.
Once completed, the widened road will reduce travel time between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram by 20-30 minutes during peak hours. The project aims to bypass Attingal town, a major traffic bottleneck, easing congestion for long-distance travellers.
