Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road Project Receives Environmental Clearance
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted environmental clearance for Thiruvananthapuram's Outer Ring Road project. The revised alignment, featuring tunnels and viaducts, aims to minimize ecological disturbance.
Key takeaways
- The Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram has been granted environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- The revised alignment incorporates 17 tunnels and 50 viaducts along the 62.7-km corridor to minimize ecological impact.
- The project, estimated at ₹12,595 crore, is expected to boost port-related development in the region.
- The clearance follows a review addressing geological and safety concerns related to the new alignment.
The Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has received environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This approval follows a review of a revised alignment proposed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The expert appraisal committee (EAC) under the MoEF&CC recommended the clearance after considering a report addressing geological and safety concerns related to the modified route. Previously, the committee had deferred the decision due to a debris slide near a tunnel project site in Wayanad.
What Happened
The long-pending Vizhinjam–Navaikulam Outer Ring Road project has secured environmental clearance. The NHAI submitted a report detailing the revised alignment, which includes 17 tunnels and 50 viaducts spanning 62.7 kilometers. The project, planned under a hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) model, is awaiting State Cabinet approval to commence.
Why It Matters
The environmental clearance is expected to reactivate the ORR project, which has been stalled for over four years. The revised alignment is designed to reduce ecological disturbance by incorporating tunnels through sensitive hilly areas, thereby limiting extensive hill cutting. Upon completion, the project is anticipated to stimulate port-related development in the Thiruvananthapuram region.
Background
The project, part of the Capital Region Development Programme and the Centre’s Bharatmala highway programme, faced delays. The initial environmental clearance was deferred due to concerns arising from a separate incident in Wayanad. The revised alignment became necessary to address ecological sensitivities associated with conventional hill cutting.
Key Facts
- The Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram has received environmental clearance.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted the approval.
- The project has a revised alignment covering 62.7 km with 17 tunnels and 50 viaducts.
- The estimated cost for the project is ₹12,595 crore.
- The State government will cover 50% of the land acquisition cost, estimated at ₹1,690 crore.
- The project is planned under a hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) model.
- The approval was granted after considering a report on geological and safety aspects of the revised alignment.
Sources reviewed
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