NH-47 Alignment
Kazhakuttam-Chacka-Inchakkal-Kovalam-Mukkola-Puthenkada-Thirupuram-Ayira-Manjamkuzhi-Adakkakuzhi-Pirakode-Kuluvilai- Mayapuram-Tamarakulam-Kappukkadu, Mulamkuzhi-Palliyadi- Vadavila-Pukkadai-Kozhiporuvila-Paruthikattuvilai- Pandaravilai- Thackalai- Pandaravilai-Puchikad- Chungankadai- Ozhukinsseri- Karuppukottai-Therur- Manavila-Kottaram-Kanyakumari Bypass.
From Kazhakkoottam to Kerala/TN Border
The alignment utilises the existing Thiruvananthapuram Bypass from Kazhakkoottam to Kovalam (22.6 Kms). The second phase of Thiruvananthapuram by pass starts from Kovalam and passes through Mukkola-Puthenkada-Thirupuram and Ayira and joins Kerala/Tamilnadu Border at Manjamkuzhi near Karode.
From Kovalam, the original bypass alignment proposed by Kerala PWD (NH) is followed upto Ayira for 17.743 Kms. Further it deviates from the PWD alignment for a short length and crosses Kerala Border at Manjamkuzhi Karode. Under the proposal, the existing bypass is to be widened to four lane with central median of 4.5m, hard shoulders of 1.5m and earthen shoulders of 1.5m.
Approx.a distance of 18.6kms from Kovalam, the original proposal was to deviate from the PWD alignment and cross Kerala – TN Border near Thirupuramafter crossing Poovar East Canaland Neyyar River.
However, the alignment of Thiruvananthapuram bypass Phase II from Kovalam to Kaliyakkavila was approved by the Ministry of Surface Transport way back in 1989. Knowing this, the local people who are put up in this alignment stopped construction of new houses and started shifting from this route as a precaution. The alignment proposed earlier deviates from the original bypass alignment at Kanjiramkulam and takes a route further west, which requires evacuation of people already shifted from the original alignment. This has raised much hue and cry from the public and political leaders and there is strong demand to follow the old bypass alignment and the matter was also taken up with High court of Kerala by the local villagers. Hence another option is followed in which the original bypass alignment will be followed up to Ayira Village and then deviate to cross the Kerala border.
Hence, the original bypass alignment will be followed from Kazhakkoottam to Ayira in the Kerala portion.
Kanjiramkulam, Uranvila and Thirupuram villages is avoided. However, there is a slight increase in length by 1.72 km than the first proposal.
From Kerala/TN Border to Kanyakumari
The alignment after crossing the Kerala border at Manjamkuzhi proceeds through areas of Adakkakuzhi, Pirakode, Kuluvilai and finally crosses Tamraparani river. The alignment passes through Mayapuram, Thamarakulam, Kappukkadu, and Mulamkuzhi villages and passes near Palliyadi and crosses Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari railway line here.After that it passes through Vadavila, Pukkadai, Kozhiporuvila and Paruthikattuvilai.The alignment cuts Kozhiporuvila-Pukkadai road and Eraniel branch canal and passes through Pandaravilai village. It also cuts Thiruvankode - Milady road and Aluvarcoil – Manjanuvila road connecting existing NH 47 near Thuckalai. Then it crosses river Valliyar and passes through Pandaravilai, Puchikad and cuts Villukuri canal and joins the existing NH 47. After joining the existing NH, the alignment follows the existing NH 47 for a length of 0.81 Kms of existing NH 47. Thereafter the alignment deviates from the existing NH 47 towards left side of Chungankadai Village crosses Puthery – Vadaserry road. Further it crosses Palayar River and Teraikkalpudur road and joins NH 47 B at Ozhukanassery. After it crosses Nagercoil – Tirunelveli railway line and runs through Karuppukottai, Therur villages. This portion of alignment runs north of Nagercoil and Suchindram and joins NH 47 near Manavila junction.From there it follows the existing road up to a length of 3.44km and deviates on RHS for bypassing Kottaram village and joins the proposed NH 7 Bypass for Kanyakumari immediately after Kottaram village.
NH 47B from Nagercoil to Kavalkinaru
The alignment starts at Ozhukanassery and cuts Teraikkalpudur-Thirupathisaram road and crosses Puthanar canal and crosses a small stream and cuts Veeramarthandanpuram-Sivagnanapuram.Further it crosses Thirunelveli-Nagercoil railway line and cross the Murungur -Thirumalipuram road and Thovalai channel. The alignment is bypassing Thovalai and it crosses the Thovalai railway station road.Further It crosses a raod leading to Muthunagar.It also crosses the Devasagai Malai- Arulvaimozhi road and also another road leading to MGR Nagar. It also crosses Muppandal-Kumarapuram road and joins NH-7 at Kavalkinaru.
Source : Ajith from TDF