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The Mukkola-Karode highway stretch, which is part of the Kazhakootam-Kerala-Tamil Nadu border NH-66 bypass, is likely to be commissioned in December. The work at three places - Thengavila, Thirupuram, and Vlathankara, which are around 500 metres apart - remains to be completed. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the issue of red soil shortage for filling the stretch at these locations has been handled and the 16.3-km stretch should be opened by the end of this year. The NHAI has also asked the district administration to resume culvert rectification work at Punnakulam, which had come to a halt. “We had started the work long back but it was hampered due to rain. The work was halted again when a group of people came to the spot asking the contractor to stop it. We have approached the district administration and hope to resume work as soon as possible. However, all other hurdles are over and if all things go well, the stretch can be commissioned in December itself,� said P Pradeep, NHAI project director. Kerala’s Public Works Department Minister P A Mohamed Riyas visited the spot 10 days ago and instructed the NHAI to complete the work at the earliest. Earlier, there was a delay in getting ‘borrow area� approval from the Mining and Geology Department to fill sand. There was also a shortage of red soil to fill the stretch. However, these issues have been resolved. See also: Jaspur to Kadi road approved by AUDAVadodara Municipal Corp to construct three flyovers