With the Vizhinjam International Seaport (VISL) set to be commissioned next month, Kerala’s Chief Secretary, Sarada Muraleedharan, has requested the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for immediate approval of interim and permanent road connectivity to the port. This request is crucial as container traffic is expected to begin soon after the port’s commissioning.

The state government has proposed a temporary solution involving cutting the median of National Highway-66 (NH-66) and installing necessary signboards to facilitate container movement. However, the permanent solution, which includes the construction of a cloverleaf intersection linking the port to NH-66 and the outer ring road, is expected to take up to three years to complete.

The Adani Group, which operates the port, has expedited the construction of the approach road, and significant progress has been made in land acquisition for the project. Of the 42 cents required, 35.81 cents have already been acquired, and Rs 11 crore in compensation has been disbursed. The project is a significant step toward enhancing the port’s operational efficiency and facilitating smoother transport of goods.