Kerala Set for Highway Transformation: Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod in Just 9 Hours

Kerala is witnessing a landmark transformation in road connectivity as the expansion of National Highway 66 from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram reaches its final phase. Of the total 702-kilometre stretch, 590 kilometres have already been completed, while construction on the remaining 16 stretches is progressing swiftly, with six sections crossing 80 percent completion. So far, 11 stretches have been opened to traffic, and authorities expect the entire project to be finished within this year. Once fully operational, the six-lane highway will allow travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h, reducing the journey time to just three hours between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and about nine hours from the state capital to Kasaragod. Although work has slowed in select areas such as Vadakara, Thuravoor, and parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for strict action against delays to ensure timely completion. Notably, Kerala became the first state in the country to bear 25 percent of the land acquisition cost for a national highway project, contributing ₹5,580.73 crore to accelerate the development. Once completed, NH 66 is expected to dramatically enhance mobility, trade, and tourism across the state, ushering in a new era of economic growth and connectivity.