Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kerala’s first six-lane highway—the Talapady-Chengala section of NH-66—on March 11, 2026, during his Kochi visit, dedicating projects worth ₹10,800 crore linking Kasaragod to Kannur and Mangaluru.
Connectivity Revolution for North Kerala
This ₹2,650 crore upgrade, part of the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor, slashes travel times to key towns like Kasaragod, Bekal, Payyanur, and Kannur while boosting Azhikkal Port access, tourism, and trade with service roads and enhanced safety.
Political Drama: LDF’s Parallel Launch
CPI(M)-led Kerala government boycotted Modi’s event after excluding PWD Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, holding rival inaugurations of NH-66 stretches; CM Vijayan skipped amid pre-election tensions.
More Infra Milestones in Kerala-TN Visit
Modi will also launch Kozhikode Bypass (₹2,140 Cr), railway projects, Amrit Bharat trains, and Tamil Nadu initiatives totaling ₹16,450 crore, reinforcing southern connectivity.
