The proposed Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR) has taken a significant step forward with the submission of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Prepared after revising the project alignment, the report includes measures such as tunnels through ecologically sensitive areas to minimise environmental damage and address earlier concerns.
With the EIA now submitted, NHAI will initiate the process of securing environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, a crucial requirement for the project’s execution.
Before that, the project must receive consent from the state pollution control board, followed by a public hearing expected soon.
The Outer Ring Road, a six-lane corridor connecting Vizhinjam to Navaikulam, is part of the Centre’s Bharatmala Pariyojana and aims to ease traffic congestion while boosting connectivity to the Vizhinjam port.
The project, which has faced multiple delays due to environmental and regulatory issues, is now seen as moving closer to execution, though challenges such as land acquisition and local concerns remain.
