Kerala’s PWD Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas announced that the six-lane National Highway from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram will be completed by 2025. Speaking at the inauguration of the 37.9-km road from Nedumangad Pazhakutti to Ponmudi hill station, Riyas emphasised that key projects like the Coastal Highway and the Hill Highway are also on track for timely completion. These initiatives aim to improve connectivity and provide significant support to Kerala’s growing tourism sector.

The newly inaugurated road to Ponmudi, one of Kerala’s major hill stations, is expected to invigorate tourism in the region. Riyas highlighted the importance of accountability, urging contractors and employees to ensure efficient use of allocated funds. He also announced incentives for timely and quality construction, along with strict penalties for negligence. The government is considering rewards for well-performing officials to encourage excellence in road development projects.

The Nedumangad-Ponmudi road, constructed under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative, was launched to rehabilitate roads damaged by the 2018 floods. The Rs 167.69 crore project includes tarring 21.03 km of roads with widths of 10 to 12 meters and 15.6 km with widths of 5.5 meters. Key features include the reconstruction of 17 culverts, widening of 10 culverts, and construction of five new culverts, ensuring the road meets modern standards.

Additional upgrades include retaining walls, bridge improvements, side drains, and an Irish drain in forested areas to prevent landslides. The project is being implemented by the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) under PWD without land acquisition. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, MP Adoor Prakash, and other dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony, marking a milestone in Kerala’s infrastructure development efforts.