Kerala Clears ₹73.18 Crore GST Share, Unlocking NH 183 Four-Laning Project
Kerala has refunded ₹73.18 crore as its GST share, resolving a financial deadlock and clearing the way for four-laning a 54.37-km stretch of NH 183.
The financial uncertainty that had stalled the development of the Kollam–Theni National Highway (NH 183) has been resolved, with the State government issuing an order to refund ₹73.18 crore as its GST share. The move follows the State's acceptance of conditions set by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The project covers a 54.37-km stretch of NH 183, running from the Kadavoor bypass junction to Anjilimoodu near Chengannur, which is to be developed into a four-lane highway with a 20-metre right-of-way.
With the question of the State's financial contribution settled, the Revenue department is set to speed up preliminary work on land acquisition. This includes the imminent publication of revised 3A and 3D notifications in the gazette. A special tehsildar and other officials have already been appointed to oversee the acquisition process.
In its first phase, roughly 40 km of the highway falling within the Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency will be widened to four lanes. The upgrade is expected to significantly improve transportation in areas such as Kunnathur, Sasthamcotta, Sooranad, Charumoodu and Kollakadavu.
The project received the Centre's approval in June and has been granted administrative and technical sanction totalling ₹1,663.15 crore. Of this, ₹689.20 crore is earmarked for civil works, ₹331.64 crore for land acquisition and related procedures, and ₹394.19 crore for the demolition of structures and compensation payouts.
To let the project proceed, the Centre had required the State to meet one of two conditions: bear the entire cost of utility relocation and land acquisition for utility corridors, or refund the State GST share. The State's share was calculated at ₹73.18 crore based on a report submitted by the Chief Engineer of the State Public Works department, and has now been formally cleared.
With the funding uncertainty over, attention turns to accelerating land acquisition and moving the project into the construction phase.