Smart city makes ‘road’ for infrastructure boom


The proposed Smart City is expected to create an infrastructure boom in the city, especially in the areas near Kakkanad. The Tecom Investments, which is implementing the SmartCity project, had already expressed their concerns over the lack of proper infrastructure requirements, which the State had promised to address. This is expected to give a fresh lease of life to some of the key projects that are yet to kickstart.


One of the most important projects, the proposed Ring Road project that will connect Vyttila Mobility Hub to the Smart City via Kaniyampuzha, Seaport-Airport Road and will extend towards the eastern side through Infopark, Pookkattupady and Smart City area to reach Kalamassery HMT and from there will link the Vallarpadam Container Terminal Road. As per the proposal, the proposed Ring Road will be 15-kilometre long and will be four-laned.



“Infrastructure development will be one of the vital factors once the Smart City project is implemented. If we fail to  construct new roads or widen the existing ones, the entire area will get choked with heavy traffic flow. The proposed Ring Road is an ideal project as it will connect the centre of transport activities to the IT corridor of the State,” said Benny Behanan MLA. He said that the authorities had  held discussions twice with National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), which is preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Ring Road. “We observed that the initial alignment suggested by NATPAC is not feasible. Hence, they were asked to realign it,” he said.


Estimated at a cost of Rs 1400 crore, land acquisition is causing trouble in smooth execution of the project work. “Land acquisition is the main obstacle for majority of infrastructure projects, ” he said.


Other projects that can be considered include development of Thammanam Pulleppady Road, where the stretch can be extended from Thammanam to Seaport-Airport Road, providing an easy access to the Smart City. And, a road between Kakkanad and Thangalam in Kothamangalam will provide connectivity between the eastern areas and the Smart City.

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