Kochi-Munnar Travel Made Easy With Corridor Upgrade

Design speed enhanced to 80kmph; highway widening, curve straightening are high points

- Krishna Kumar K E @ Kochi

OW travelling to Munnar and other eastern parts of Ernakulam district will be a comfortable experience and cost you less time. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has neared the completion of a long-pending project to upgrade the key 124-km-long Kochi-Munnar NH 85.

While the design speed has been enhanced to 80 kmph, what may provide succour to motorists will be the widening of the highway and the curve straightening carried out with the aim of bringing down mishaps on the accident-prone corridor. "The stretch witnesses heavy traffic flow to destinations like Muvattupuzha. Previously, the highway had a width of 5.5 to seven metres on many stretches. The same has now been widened to a minimum 10 metres wherever possible. We've completed the upgrading work in 100 km out of the total 124 km. Main focus has been given for curve improvements by shortening the curve angle by widening the portions, and is aimed at reducing mishaps. We aim to complete the project in another six months," said a senior NHAI official.

The authorities have also cleared all encroachments in the entire 124-km corridor.