The proposed Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Thiruvananthapuram has moved a step closer to implementation following the submission of a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The report, prepared by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, is based on a modified project alignment that incorporates tunnel sections through ecologically sensitive hilly terrain. These design changes aim to minimise environmental impact and address earlier concerns related to extensive hill cutting.
With the submission of the revised EIA, NHAI is expected to initiate the process of obtaining fresh environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Before approaching the Centre, the project will require approval from the State Pollution Control Board, along with a public consultation process.
The Outer Ring Road project, a key infrastructure initiative under the Bharatmala programme, will span approximately 65 km between Vizhinjam and Navaikulam. It is designed to ease traffic congestion in and around the city while improving connectivity to the Vizhinjam port.
The project had earlier faced delays due to regulatory challenges, particularly after its classification as a national highway, which necessitated fresh environmental clearances from central authorities. The revised alignment and updated environmental assessment are expected to help overcome these bottlenecks and accelerate progress.
Despite the recent advancement, concerns related to land acquisition, environmental safeguards, and transparency continue to be raised by local stakeholders. The project is being implemented under a hybrid public-private partnership model and has already received approval from the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee.
