Kerala Road Fund Board project executed by Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society. Minister K Muraleedharan inaugurating work on Monday.

First phase: 7.215 km stretch including Sasthamangalam-Mannarakkonam road, Thoppumukku-Vattiyoorkavu road, Mannarakkonam-Peroorkada road, 120-metre Mannarakkonam-Vazhayila section, and Mannarakkonam junction expansion.

Roads currently 7-10 metres wide being upgraded to 18.5 metres width. Construction in phases to minimise traffic disruption.

Budget: Rs 73.61 crore total. Rs 6.46 crore for KSEB line relocation, Rs 6.93 crore for Kerala Water Authority works. Total project received revised administrative sanction of Rs 531.76 crore in 2025, with Rs 458.94 crore for land acquisition.

Works include drain construction both sides, retaining walls, culverts, utility connection relocation.

Project announced years ago; delayed by estimate issues, administrative approvals, land acquisition delays, demolition and utility shifting.

After months of delay, Vattiyoorkavu junction and road development project and Peroorkada flyover set to move into construction phase. Tenders for both projects open February 17; preliminary construction activities expected first week of March. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan likely to lay foundation stone for Vattiyoorkavu project February 22.

Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) implementing Vattiyoorkavu project; Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) executing Peroorkada flyover.

Vattiyoorkavu junction and road development project involves widening and modernising arterial corridor connecting Sasthamangalam, Mannarakonam, Vattiyoorkavu, Peroorkada and Vazhayila. Road will be developed into four-lane stretch with improved junction design, footpaths, drainage and street lighting. Land acquisition largely completed; rehabilitation measures including shopping complex for affected traders part of plan.

Thiruvananthapuram City police intensify search for Ananthapuri Manikandan, District Congress Committee member, accused in Kowdiar land grab case. Manikandan, a vendor, suspected of masterminding fraudulent property transfer of land owned by Dora Asariya Cripps, US resident, in Jawahar Nagar. Museum police arrested Merin Jacob, 27, Punalur and Vasantha, 76, Karakulam. Gang allegedly forged documents to register land in name of Merin, claimed as Cripps's adopted daughter, later sold for approximately ₹1.5 crore in January. Vasantha's resemblance to Cripps facilitated scam. Another accused, Chandrasenan, allegedly purchased property. Property registered at Sub-Registrar office, Sasthamangalam. Investigation probing alleged role of revenue officials. Fraud discovered when property caretaker attempted to pay tax, found property transferred without knowledge. Manikandan's anticipatory bail plea rejected by court; lookout notice issued. Chandrasenan granted anticipatory bail citing absence of cash transaction proof; investigation to examine bank details.

The Sasthamangalam-Peroorkada Road, a busy byroad in Thiruvananthapuram that has been in dilapidated condition for years, is undergoing major development under the Smart City Thiruvananthapuram initiative. The Public Works Department is executing the project with Rs 12 crore sanctioned by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd.

Construction of drainage and underground ducts is progressing rapidly, with tarring work planned to begin within a week. Work is occurring on Sasthamangalam-Peroorkada and Ambalamukku-Oolampara stretches.

The project includes shifting utility lines—overhead cables and drinking water lines—into underground ducts. KWA has initiated this work. Gas pipeline laying is 95% complete. New roads will feature footpaths of 1 to 2 metres width. The authorities plan to complete the project by end of October.