Key Takeaways:
- Kalikkadavu Chanthera Olavara road development will deliver raised footpaths, handrails and drainage across 15 locations to improve pedestrian safety.
- Work backed by MLA M. Rajagopalan and funded with Rs 2 crore allocated in the state budget.
- About 1,500 metres of footpath to be built, including a 375-metre stretch through Thrikkaripur town; tendering and approvals completed and work to start shortly.
Local authorities in Thrikkaripur have finalised plans for the second phase of ancillary works on the Kalikkadavu–Chanthera–Olavara road, marking a significant step towards improved pedestrian safety and street-level infrastructure in the area. The project, which received a Rs 2 crore allocation in the state budget following a proposal by MLA M. Rajagopalan, has completed estimates and obtained the necessary administrative and technical clearances. Tender procedures are concluded and the public works department has now flagged off the implementation.
Kalikkadavu Chanthera Olavara road development brings safer pedestrian infrastructure
The scheme focuses on constructing raised footpaths, installing handrails and improving drainage where required. Work is planned across 15 locations along the route, amounting to roughly 1,500 metres of new footpath. In Thrikkaripur town, a separate 375-metre stretch from the Life Care Hospital area to the Vellap Road junction will be upgraded with a raised footpath and handrail to ensure safer movement for residents and visitors.
Project managers say the raised footpaths will be constructed with reinforced elements such as beam concrete in selected sections and will include proper cross‑drainage to prevent waterlogging. These measures are intended to reduce the risk to pedestrians during monsoon months and improve accessibility for schoolchildren, the elderly and those with mobility needs.
Notably, two sections of the public works road bordering the V.P.P. Muhammad Kunji Pattelar Memorial Vocational Higher Secondary School were already recognised as school zones and had previously received funding for footpaths and handrails. The current works have been planned to avoid duplication; those school-zone sections will not be included in the imminent round of construction.
MLA M. Rajagopalan said the improvements reflect a local priority to make streets safer and more walkable while supporting sustainable urban management. Officials from the public works department confirmed that the project estimate has been completed and the government has authorised both the administrative and technical approvals required to proceed immediately.
Localities set to benefit include Karolom, the vicinity of Ramavilyam Kadakan, the Ilambachi playground area, the KSEB office precinct, Homoeo Hospital surroundings, Ilambachi Children’s Park, South Thrikkaripur school area, Thekkumpad and the Olavara junction. Authorities plan to deliver raised footpaths of approximately 100 metres at each of the 15 sites, cumulatively securing around 1,500 metres of continuous pedestrian route.
Officials stress that works will be executed with attention to durable materials and proper drainage to ensure longevity. The intervention is expected to reduce roadside hazards and support local commerce by improving connectivity between residential pockets, educational institutions and market areas.
With approvals and tendering completed, contractors will soon mobilise on site and residents can expect visible activity in the coming weeks. The project aligns with broader municipal efforts to upgrade basic urban infrastructure and enhance road safety in the Kasaragod district.
Residents seeking more information or updates have been directed to local public works contacts and the office of the MLA. The initiative is being promoted as a practical, safety-led investment that will benefit pedestrians and neighbourhood life across the Kalikkadavu–Chanthera–Olavara corridor.
