Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday, January 22, 2009: Public Works Minister Mons Joseph today announced the Draft report of Road Development Policy proposals for the north-south access-controlled corridor. Elevated highways and widening of all national are some of the highlights of the draft report.

Speaking to reporters Minister said, unlike the 507-km corridor Express Highway mooted by UDF Ministry, the north-south access-controlled corridor has undergone the feasibility study and is more practical than the express highway.

By the latest estimates, the cost of the project would go up from Rs 64bn to 100bn which is proposed begin by 2011 and will finish by 2021.

Earlier, the proposal of Express Highway had sparked off huge debate in the state with a minority holding the view that the huge road running through 12 out of the 14 districts would split the State into two. Even Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan held the view.

But a strong section in the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), especially those in northern districts, had switched over the new road concept since it would reduce traveling time between Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram to less than six hours instead of the nearly 12 hours now.

The Draft report of Road Development Policy also proposes to set up a Highway Development Authority