The project began in 2003 with the first phase but stalled for two decades due to delays in securing central land. The minister said the Centre had been reluctant to hand over HMT and Naval Armament Depot land, impeding progress despite changes in union representation. After the Left Democratic Front took office, work started on stretches not requiring central land, and in 2021 the state deposited compensation in court to secure HMT land under High Court directives.
The state acquired two point four nine six seven hectares of Naval Armament Depot land for Rs 231.1 million (mn) and sanctioned Rs 173.1 million (mn) to widen and develop nearby Thorappu road as part of the transfer. For HMT land Rs 379.0 million (mn) was deposited in a bank as directed by the High Court. The lands have been handed over to the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala.
Phase two comprises a 14.4 kilometre section from HMT road to the airport and includes the HMT-NAD stretch; phase one covered an 11.3 kilometre link from Irumpanam to HMT road. Completion is expected to bring relief to local residents who have sought the project's conclusion for two decades. The minister noted that continued engagement with the defence department, the Naval Armament Depot and the Southern Naval Command enabled the state to acquire the required land.