Malappuram (Keralam) | The Centre has approved Rs 988.75 crore for 39 road development projects in Keralam, with construction scheduled to begin in December, state Public Works Minister P K Basheer said on Saturday.

The allocation has been made under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme and will facilitate the development of 486.33 km of roads across the state, he said in a statement.

Of the total allocation, Rs 570 crore has been earmarked for road projects in the Malabar region (north Keralam). The approval covers 21 projects spread across Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, the minister said.

The clearance followed discussions held with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, he said.

The projects cover major district roads, ordinary district roads and Corporation roads. The state government has already accorded administrative sanction for the works.

Further procedures, including technical and financial clearances, will be completed within the stipulated time to enable construction to commence in December, Basheer said.

The roads will be developed in accordance with National Highway standards. Once completed, the projects are expected to improve the quality of both rural and urban roads and strengthen connectivity across the state, he added.