The proposed Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Thiruvananthapuram has moved a step closer to execution with the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The report, prepared by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, relates to the revised alignment of the project, which incorporates design modifications such as tunnel sections through ecologically sensitive areas. These changes aim to minimise environmental impact and address earlier concerns related to large-scale hill cutting.
With the EIA now submitted, NHAI is expected to initiate the process of obtaining environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Prior to this, approvals from the State Pollution Control Board are required, along with a public consultation process, which is expected to be conducted in the coming weeks.
The Outer Ring Road project, spanning approximately 65 km between Vizhinjam and Navaikulam, is a key infrastructure initiative under the Bharatmala programme. It is aimed at easing traffic congestion in and around Thiruvananthapuram while improving connectivity to the Vizhinjam port.
The project had earlier faced delays due to procedural challenges related to environmental clearances, particularly after its classification as a national highway, which shifted approval authority to the central government. The revised alignment and updated environmental assessment are expected to help overcome these hurdles and move the project forward.
Once the necessary clearances are secured, the project is expected to proceed toward the next stages, including tendering and construction. However, concerns related to land acquisition, environmental impact, and stakeholder transparency continue to be raised by local communities.
