NHAI yet to approve street lighting proposal

28 Nov 2024 CW Team

Under the Smart City initiative, streetlights have already been installed on the Karamana-Pravachambalam stretch, addressing long-standing demands from local residents. Encouraged by this success, authorities are exploring the extension of similar infrastructure to the 26-km Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch, which is a key route lined with IT hubs, educational institutions, shopping malls, and residential areas.

An official from NHAI explained that the highway authority is open to approving the project but has not been formally contacted. The official mentioned that they had only learned about the initiative through media reports and stated that approval would be granted once a detailed and feasible proposal is submitted, provided the city corporation or Smart City project assumes responsibility for maintenance.

Previously, the city corporation proposed installing 120 light poles equipped with advertising provisions along the stretch from Technopark Phase-III to Mukkola. However, NHAI rejected the proposal, citing its policy against advertising hoardings. In response, the corporation presented a revised plan with two options: installing 1,100 double-armed streetlight poles along the highway median at 20-meter intervals or erecting 2,200 single-arm streetlights on either side of the stretch. The updated proposal also includes a 10-year revenue-sharing model to ensure financial sustainability. Despite these revisions, NHAI has yet to make a final decision.

The Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch is a critical transit corridor linking key locations such as the Vizhinjam International Container Terminal, Technopark, and the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

The city corporation, in partnership with the Smart City project, has plans to install streetlights along the NH-66 corridor between Kazhakkoottam and Kovalam to enhance safety for residents and commuters. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has not yet received a formal proposal for the project. Despite this, NHAI has indicated its willingness to approve the initiative if the plans are feasible.Under the Smart City initiative, streetlights have already been installed on the Karamana-Pravachambalam stretch, addressing long-standing demands from local residents. Encouraged by this success, authorities are exploring the extension of similar infrastructure to the 26-km Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch, which is a key route lined with IT hubs, educational institutions, shopping malls, and residential areas.An official from NHAI explained that the highway authority is open to approving the project but has not been formally contacted. The official mentioned that they had only learned about the initiative through media reports and stated that approval would be granted once a detailed and feasible proposal is submitted, provided the city corporation or Smart City project assumes responsibility for maintenance.Previously, the city corporation proposed installing 120 light poles equipped with advertising provisions along the stretch from Technopark Phase-III to Mukkola. However, NHAI rejected the proposal, citing its policy against advertising hoardings. In response, the corporation presented a revised plan with two options: installing 1,100 double-armed streetlight poles along the highway median at 20-meter intervals or erecting 2,200 single-arm streetlights on either side of the stretch. The updated proposal also includes a 10-year revenue-sharing model to ensure financial sustainability. Despite these revisions, NHAI has yet to make a final decision.The Kazhakkoottam-Mukkola stretch is a critical transit corridor linking key locations such as the Vizhinjam International Container Terminal, Technopark, and the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

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