50 per cent of NH 66 work in Kerala to be over by March 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is likely to complete the six-laning work on more than half of the 644-km NH-66 stretch across Kerala by March 2026, with four key stretches covering about 145 km expected to be opened to traffic by the end of this year, senior officials said. But quicker travel is likely to come at a price. Once the entire work is completed, NH 66 will feature a total of 13 toll plazas in the state 11 finalised while two more are under consideration, the officials said. The first of the new plazas at Mambuzhappalam in Pantheerankavu is set for trial this week. Three of the toll booths will come up at Eramalloor (AroorThuravoor elevated highway), near Kripasanam in Alappuzha (ThuravoorParavoor stretch), and Ochira (ParavoorKottukulangara). The toll rates are still being finalised, while existing plazas on the highway are functional at Thiruvallam, Kumbalam and Thiruvangad. Among the four stretches set for December launch, the 39-km ThalappadyChengala stretch in Kasaragod, executed by ULCCS, has already been opened to traffic. The other three stretches likely to be completed by end of this year are RamanattukaraValanchery (39.68 km; 99.36% complete), ValancheryKappirikkad (37.35 km; 98.65%), and VengalamRamanattukara Junction (28.4 km; 80%). Widening work on six other stretches together covering 202 km including those from Chengala to Neeleshwaram, Neeleshwaram to Thalipparamba, and Thalikulam to Kodungallur, are expected to be completed by March 2026.