Palakkad–Kozhikode Greenfield Highway Construction Set to Begin as Land Acquisition Nears Completion

Construction of the 121-km Palakkad–Kozhikode Greenfield Highway is expected to commence soon, marking a major milestone for Kerala’s road infrastructure network. The project has regained momentum after a high-level meeting in New Delhi between Kerala Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Developed under the Centre’s Bharatmala programme, the six-lane greenfield highway involves an estimated investment of ₹8,000 crore. Officials confirmed that more than 95% of the required land acquisition has already been completed, paving the way for the next phase of execution.

The highway will pass through the districts of Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode, primarily covering rural regions while significantly improving regional connectivity. Once operational, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Palakkad and Kozhikode from nearly four hours to around two hours, benefiting both passenger and freight movement across northern Kerala.

The project had experienced delays after an official traffic assessment raised concerns over projected vehicle volumes on certain stretches. However, the Kerala government presented its case during the recent discussions with the Union government, leading to renewed support for expediting the project.

According to the Detailed Project Report, the highway will feature partial access control and integrate with several major transport corridors. It will connect National Highways 544 and 66, eight State Highways and five major district roads. The corridor will also improve access to Calicut International Airport, KINFRA industrial parks, 11 bus terminals and key railway stations, strengthening multimodal connectivity across the region.

Authorities have already disbursed more than ₹2,000 crore as land acquisition compensation. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now preparing an inventory of structures located on the acquired land before initiating demolition tenders. Revenue officials are also expected to issue the remaining notifications required for acquiring land earmarked for highway rest areas.

The Palakkad–Kozhikode Greenfield Highway is expected to play a vital role in Kerala’s transport infrastructure by improving logistics efficiency, supporting industrial development, boosting tourism and providing faster access between central and northern parts of the state. With land acquisition nearing completion and administrative clearances progressing, construction is expected to begin shortly, bringing one of Kerala’s most significant highway projects closer to reality.