Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced 31 new road projects worth ₹50,000 crore for Kerala, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to the state’s infrastructure growth. Speaking via video message at the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS) 2025, he also highlighted that the central government has invested ₹3 lakh crore in Kerala’s development during its current tenure.
Gadkari emphasized Kerala’s potential in sectors like tourism, MSMEs, coir and geotextiles, rubber, and Ayurveda. He noted that completed road projects in the state have surpassed ₹20,000 crore, while ongoing projects amount to ₹60,000 crore.
Among the newly announced initiatives, five construction packages covering 120 km, worth ₹10,840 crore, are in the bidding phase, with work expected to commence within three months. A key project worth ₹10,800 crore aims to enhance connectivity between Palakkad and Kozhikode, linking northern Kerala with Salem.
Another major development is the ₹6,500 crore Ernakulam Bypass (Angamaly-Kundannoor), a 45 km stretch set to reduce travel time from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes. Work is scheduled to begin in six months. The ₹5,000 crore Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (68.7 km), set to improve access to Vizhinjam Port, is awaiting land acquisition.
Additionally, the ₹3,000 crore four-laning of the Edamon-Kollam NH is in the detailed project report (DPR) stage. Once completed, this project will cut travel time between Kollam and Madurai from six hours to two. Work is expected to begin within four to five months.
Gadkari reaffirmed the Centre’s support for Kerala’s development, ensuring seamless connectivity and improved infrastructure to boost economic growth.
