After nearly two decades of frustrating delays, the second phase of the ambitious Kochi Seaport-Airport Road project is finally set to move forward. The long-stalled expansion, which aims to provide swift connectivity between the city’s major port and the Cochin International Airport (CIAL), gained critical momentum following the formal handover of disputed defense and public sector land.
The key to resolving the 20-year deadlock was the transfer of land belonging to Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) and the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) to the project implementing agency, the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK)
The Breakthrough in Land Acquisition
The primary hurdle was the 1.40 hectares of HMT land in Kalamassery, tied up in a legal dispute over compensation. This issue was finally resolved after the State government, following an interim directive from the Supreme Court, deposited the disputed land value of approximately ₹37.90 crore in a bank account. This financial step allowed the RBDCK to take immediate possession and proceed with the construction work.
In parallel, approximately 2.49 hectares of land from the NAD was also handed over, with the government allocating ₹32.26 crore for its acquisition, boundary wall construction, and road widening works. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve confirmed that with the resolution of both the HMT and NAD land issues, construction on the critical stretch is expected to begin shortly.
Project Roadmap and Funding
The Seaport-Airport Road is a 25.7 km corridor stretching from Irumpanam to Nedumbassery. The first phase (11.3 km to Kalamassery) was completed in 2003. The focus is now entirely on the second phase, which includes three sections:
HMT Road–NAD Junction: Administrative sanction of ₹17.31 crore has been granted for the construction of this stretch. Work, including building a 600-meter, 45-meter-wide road segment, is currently being tendered and is expected to start soon.
NAD–Mahilalayam Junction (6.5 km): Land acquisition for this vital segment is nearing completion. The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has sanctioned a massive ₹569.34 crore for this land acquisition process. Tenders for the road construction here are anticipated by December.
The completion of this long-delayed infrastructure project is expected to significantly decongest city traffic in Kochi and streamline logistics for the region, boosting economic activity and easing travel to the airport.