Alappuzha Bypass (Malayalam: ആലപ്പുഴ ബൈപ്പാസ്) is a part of NH 66 that bypasses CBD of Alappuzha city in Kerala, India. The 6.8 km long two line bypass is the first and longest elevated beach highway in the country, starting at Kalarcode in the south to Kommady in the north. It runs along the scenic beachside of Alappuzha City. It is a joint venture (50:50) between the central and state governments.[1] The contractor for the project is RDS-CVCC, which is a joint venture. The same joint venture was responsible for Kollam Bypass 2 lane which was inaugurated in 2019 by the Honorble PM Shri Narendra Modi. CVCC executed Kollam Bypass and RDS construction company completed the Alappuzha bypass in 2020.This is the first bypass project in the state of kerala but the construction is delayed nearly 40 years

Alappuzha Bypass
ആലപ്പുഴ ബൈപ്പാസ്
Alappuzha Bypass Aerial View 1.jpg
Beachside aerial view of Alappuzha elevated bypass highway.
Route information
Maintained by NHAI
Length6.8 km (4.2 mi)
Existed28 January 2021 (2021-01-28)–present
Major junctions
South end NH-66 in Kalarcode
North end NH-66 in Kommady
Location
CountryIndia
Major citiesAlappuzha
Highway system

The Central government contributed Rs 185 crores and the State government Rs 250 crores for the project . [2] The bypass is under Thuravoor Thekku - Paravur stretch of National highway widening project. As a part of six laning of national highway 66, a three lane elevated bridge parallel to the existing elevated bridge is under construction.

History

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The necessities and proposals for a bypass at Alappuzha dates back to the early 1980s. NH 66 is one of the longest national highways in India stretching from Panvel to Kanyakumari and criss-crosses through Alappuzha city centre. The highway gets more and more narrower as it enters the urban area, and together with the criss-cross transformation, creates no less than a bustle inside the city centre. Since then it had been a long time plea to reroute the national highway around the downtown.[citation needed]

Timeline

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Year Events
1980 Early proposals for constructing NH Bypass road at Alappuzha.
1980 The revenue department had acquired land for the bypass.
2008 Alappuzha bypass was included as a part of the project of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
2010 Centre had announced that the bypass project would be completed as a special project.
2015 Union transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the long-pending construction works of the Alappuzha bypass from Kommadi to Kalarkode.
2017 Delay in fund allocation and public protest put off the proposed completion by September 2017.
2018 Indian Railways declined approval for constructing the two ROBs at Malikamukku and Kuthirapanthy.
2020 Indian Railways granted permission to place girders at Malikamukku in January 2020.
2020 Following to Malikamukku, Indian Railways nods to place girders at Kuthirapanthy in June 2020.
2021 Alappuzha Bypass inaugurated on 28 January by Nitin Gadkari (Central Road Transport Minister), and Pinarayi Vijayan (Chief Minister of Kerala).

Project specifications

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Project Specifications
Project Title Alappuzha Bypass
Type Elevated Beach Highway
Total Distance 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi)
Construction Mode Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC)
Contractor Cherian Varkey Construction Company-RDS (JV), Kochi
South End Kalarcode
North End Kommady
ROBs 2 (Malikamukku & Kuthirapanthy)
Underpass
Major Bridges
No of Pilings
Piers
Culverts
Project Cost 348.43 crore (US$42 million)
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ [1] Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.
  2. ^ "Alappuzha Bypass: Centre Contributes Rs 185 cr, State Rs 250 cr; Kerala Awaits PM's Date for Inauguration".