Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Thalappady Chengala six-lane stretch of the national highway in Kerala on Wednesday. This marks the completion of the first segment among the 23 highway expansion projects currently ongoing in the state. The 39 km stretch from Thalappady to Chengala in Kasaragod district is part of a significant highway modernization program by the National Highways Authority of India.
The project, which commenced in November 2021, was finished on August 25, 2025, after nearly three years and nine months of construction. Notably, the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society, a Kerala-based organization, executed the project, outperforming several leading national contractors in terms of quality and timely delivery. The Society was honored with the ‘National Highways Excellence Award 2023’ by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for its exceptional performance.
The Thalappady Chengala highway has gained recognition for its engineering marvels, including the country’s longest single pillar six-lane bridge constructed using a box girder system. Moreover, the project’s emphasis on addressing local concerns and environmental protection has been commended. During construction, efforts were made to provide access roads for residents along the corridor and to address environmental issues in a responsible manner.
The project also showcased environmental sensitivity by replanting 500 grafted saplings of a 40-year-old mango tree and halting construction for nearly 55 days to allow python eggs found at the site to hatch. This project exemplifies the synergy between infrastructure development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement as Kerala’s highway network undergoes significant transformation.
