Out of the seven identified locations for the portal piers, three — Palarivattom, Vyttila, and Kundanoor — have been finalised, while a decision on the remaining four locations is still pending.

This marks the first time the city will see road construction using portal piers, which will not only save space but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the city’s roads. Currently, bridges, elevated roads, and flyovers are built by placing pillars in the middle of the road, consuming significant space.

An NHAI source explained that the elevated structures would be constructed on frame-type pillars in selected areas, with one pillar on the footpath and the other on the divider, resembling an inverted U.

The existing Aroor-Edappally bypass, part of NH 66, handles over one lakh passenger car units (PCUs) daily. With the planned widening of the Edappally-Varapuzha stretch to six lanes and the completion of the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway by the end of 2025, traffic on the route is expected to grow significantly. The proposed elevated highway will be constructed above the bypass road.

As NH 66 records the highest traffic volume in the state, the portal piers are expected to reduce congestion in key areas such as Palarivattom and Vyttila. These areas will see elevated structures built alongside the existing flyovers and the Kochi metro viaduct. Recently, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, assured Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden that the stretch would be considered for special development due to its high vehicle density and traffic congestion.

Hibi Eden emphasised that to ease severe congestion and improve traffic flow, it is essential to prioritise the proposed elevated highway project on the Edappally-Aroor stretch.

NHAI officials confirmed that the elevated structure would be built parallel to the existing flyovers at Palarivattom, Vyttila, and Kundanoor junctions.

The project consultant submitted the alignment study report for the proposed elevated structure in July of the previous year, and the Highway Engineering Consultants began the process of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) six months ago.