Kerala’s Seaport-Airport Road Phase 2 Set to Resume as HMT Land Handed Over to RBDCK

After years of delay, the second phase of Kerala’s Seaport-Airport Road project is finally set to move forward, with the HMT land in Kalamassery—long at the centre of a dispute, being handed over to the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK). This crucial development paves the way for the resumption of work on one of the state’s most important infrastructure links.

The two major hurdles for the second phase, land acquisition at NAD and HMT, have now been resolved. The state government had earlier allotted Rs 32.26 crore for the acquisition of 2.4967 hectares of NAD land, and now the 1.6352 hectares of HMT land will also be transferred to RBDCK shortly.

The Seaport-Airport Road, spanning 25.7 km from Irumpanam to Nedumbassery, aims to provide faster and smoother access to the Cochin International Airport. The first phase, covering an 11.3 km stretch from Irumpanam to Kalamassery, was completed in 2003.

The second phase includes three sections: HMT Road–NAD Junction to Mahilalayam Junction, Mahilalayam Junction to Chowara, and Chowara to Airport Road. The HMT land is essential for the 2 km-long HMT–NAD stretch, with a proposed 600-metre section that will be 45 metres wide. The state government sanctioned funds for this acquisition following an interim order from the Supreme Court

Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time to the airport, decongest city traffic, and improve connectivity between Kochi’s industrial and logistics hubs.