Kollam Bypass Road is an important part of NH-66 that carries through traffic around the main urban area of Kollam in Kerala. The bypass runs from Kavanad on the northern side to Mevaram on the southern side and provides a more direct route for vehicles travelling between the Alappuzha side and Thiruvananthapuram without entering the busiest parts of Kollam city.
The bypass is about 13 km long and was opened in January 2019. It passes Kureepuzha, Kadavoor, Kallumthazham and Ayathil and includes major bridge sections across the Ashtamudi Lake system. It is now part of the wider NH-66 six-laning programme, so temporary lane changes or diversions may occur.
Quick About Kollam Bypass Road
| Particular | Details |
| Location | Kavanad to Mevaram, around Kollam city |
| Main Highway | NH-66, formerly NH-47 |
| Approx. Length | About 13 km |
| Northern End | Kavanad |
| Southern End | Mevaram |
| Major Junctions | Kadavoor, Kallumthazham and Ayathil |
| Nearby Areas | Kavanad, Kureepuzha, Kadavoor, Kallumthazham, Ayathil and Mevaram |
| Nearest Major Railway Station | Kollam Junction |
| Other Railway Option | Eravipuram |
| Nearest Airport | Thiruvananthapuram International Airport |
| Current Major Work | NH-66 six-laning and associated structures |
| City / State | Kollam, Kerala |
Where Is Kollam Bypass Road Located?
Kollam Bypass runs along the eastern side of the main city area between Kavanad and Mevaram. The Kollam district administration officially lists the NH-66 bypass from Kavanad to Mevaram at approximately km 486.5 to km 499.5.
Kavanad is the northern reference for Neendakara, Chavara, Karunagappally and Alappuzha traffic. Mevaram is the southern end for Kottiyam, Chathannoor, Parippally and Thiruvananthapuram. Kadavoor, Kallumthazham and Ayathil are the main intermediate city-entry junctions.
Connectivity of Kollam Bypass Road
The bypass is important because it connects several major roads around Kollam without forcing all through traffic into Chinnakada and other central junctions. It is particularly useful for north-south NH-66 traffic, while intermediate junctions provide access towards central Kollam, Punalur, Kottarakkara and eastern parts of the district.
Kavanad, Neendakara and Alappuzha Side
Kavanad marks the northern end of Kollam Bypass. From here, NH-66 continues towards Neendakara, Chavara, Karunagappally, Kayamkulam and Alappuzha.
Through traffic from northern Kerala can remain on the bypass towards Mevaram, while Kavanad also gives local access towards Sakthikulangara and northern Kollam.
Mevaram and Thiruvananthapuram Side
Mevaram is the southern end of the bypass and an important junction for traffic towards Kottiyam, Chathannoor and Thiruvananthapuram on NH-66. It is also one of the easiest bypass references for travellers approaching Kollam from the south.
Vehicles heading to central Kollam can leave at Mevaram or another suitable junction. The Mevaram-Ayathil belt also has major hospitals and commercial facilities.
Kallumthazham and NH-744 Connectivity
Kallumthazham is one of the most important intermediate junctions on the bypass. Kollam’s NH-744 corridor provides the regional road connection towards Kottarakkara, Punalur and the Tamil Nadu border direction.
Kallumthazham is therefore a useful route-choice point for eastern Kollam. Current signs should be followed when road work changes lane arrangements.
Kadavoor and Eastern Kollam Connectivity
Kadavoor lies on the northern half of the bypass and provides access towards local areas on both sides of the Ashtamudi backwater system. The bypass also connects with the wider NH-183 road network serving eastern and north-eastern parts of Kollam district.
Several local roads meet the highway here, so motorists should use designated junctions and service roads.
Ayathil and Central Kollam Connectivity
Ayathil is another major junction and provides access towards the Kollam-Kulathupuzha road as well as nearby residential and commercial areas. It is useful for travellers whose destination is in the eastern or south-eastern part of Kollam city.
From Ayathil, roads also lead towards Chinnakada, Kadappakada and other central areas. Peak-hour congestion can still occur at city-entry junctions.
Railway Connectivity
Kollam Junction is the main railway station for travellers using the bypass. The Kollam district administration lists both Kollam Junction and Eravipuram as railway stations serving the city, but Kollam Junction has the wider range of long-distance services.
The station is inside the urban area, so travellers must leave the bypass through a suitable city approach and keep time for the final transfer.
Airport Connectivity
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest major airport. The Kollam district administration gives the distance from Kollam at about 51 km. Kochi International Airport is much farther away at about 129 km.
For Thiruvananthapuram Airport, vehicles normally continue south from Mevaram on NH-66. Highway construction can affect travel time, so a flight buffer is advisable.
Bus and Local Transport
Kollam has regular KSRTC and private bus services connecting the city with Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and destinations across the district. Local buses, autos and cabs provide connections between bypass junctions and central Kollam.
Some long-distance services may use bypass-side pickup or drop points. Passengers should follow the exact ticket location because ‘Kollam Bypass’ does not show whether the stop is Kavanad, Mevaram or another junction.
Nearby Areas Around Kollam Bypass Road
Kavanad and Kureepuzha are important references on the northern section. Kadavoor lies around the middle-northern part of the route, while Kallumthazham and Ayathil provide major city-entry connections. Mevaram is the main southern reference.
Central Kollam, Chinnakada, Kadappakada and the railway-station area are reached through connecting roads. The bypass also crosses the broader Ashtamudi backwater landscape.
Shops and Daily Facilities
The bypass is surrounded by developed urban and suburban areas, so fuel stations, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, vehicle services and local shops are available around major junctions. Mevaram and Ayathil in particular have extensive healthcare and commercial activity.
For larger markets, hotels and city-level services, central Kollam remains the main destination. Always check the exact bypass junction for a hotel or bus stop.
Traffic Conditions on Kollam Bypass
The bypass carries a heavy mix of cars, buses, trucks and local vehicles because it forms part of NH-66. Traffic can slow near Kavanad, Kallumthazham, Ayathil and Mevaram, especially when local turning movements mix with long-distance highway traffic.
Bridge sections and built-up junctions require careful merging, while NH-66 widening can create temporary bottlenecks or service-road changes.
NH-66 Six-Laning: Current 2026 Status
The bypass and its approaches form part of NHAI’s NH-66 expansion. The ‘Start of Kollam Bypass-Kadambattukonam’ package covers about 31.2 km and continues south from Kollam.
In a Lok Sabha reply dated August 6, 2026, the government reported about 96% physical progress on this package and listed a revised completion date of June 30, 2027. The neighbouring 31.5 km Kottankulangara-Start of Kollam Bypass package on the northern side was reported at about 77% progress, with a revised completion date of December 31, 2027.
These figures cover wider six-laning packages, not only the original bypass. The bypass remains operational, but unfinished structures and local diversions may continue.
Ashtamudi Bridges and Road Character
The original bypass includes three major bridges across the Ashtamudi Lake system, with a combined length of about 1,540 metres according to the Government of India.
The bypass opened as a two-lane road in 2019, while the current NH-66 programme is upgrading the corridor to higher-capacity standards.
Conclusion
Kollam Bypass Road is a key 13 km section of NH-66 connecting Kavanad and Mevaram around Kollam city. It gives through traffic a direct north-south route while providing important junctions towards central Kollam, Kottarakkara, Punalur and other parts of the district. Kollam Junction is the main rail hub and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest major airport. The bypass remains operational, but the wider NH-66 corridor is still undergoing major six-laning work in 2026, so travellers should follow current lane signs and check traffic conditions before important journeys.
FAQs About Kollam Bypass Road
Q1. Which end of Kollam Bypass should I use for Thiruvananthapuram and which for Alappuzha?
Mevaram is the southern end for travel towards Kottiyam, Chathannoor and Thiruvananthapuram. Kavanad is the northern end for Neendakara, Chavara, Karunagappally, Kayamkulam and Alappuzha.
Q2. Is Kollam Bypass open while NH-66 six-laning work continues?
The existing bypass is an operational NH-66 route, but widening and associated works are still continuing on the wider corridor. Temporary diversions, service-road changes or restricted lanes may therefore appear at individual locations.
Q3. Can I stay on the bypass if I am going to Kollam Junction railway station?
Kollam Junction is inside the city rather than directly on the bypass. You will need to leave the bypass through a suitable city approach, so navigation should use ‘Kollam Junction Railway Station’ as the final destination.
Q4. Which junction is useful for Punalur or the NH-744 side?
Kallumthazham is an important bypass junction for traffic connecting towards the NH-744 corridor and onward towards Kottarakkara, Punalur and the eastern side of the district.
Q5. If my bus ticket only says ‘Kollam Bypass’, how should I find the pickup point?
Contact the operator or check the live boarding pin before travelling. Kollam Bypass stretches from Kavanad to Mevaram, and different services may use different junctions or roadside landmarks.
Q6. Does the bypass completely avoid Kollam city traffic?
It avoids much of the central business-area traffic for through journeys, but congestion can still occur at Kavanad, Kallumthazham, Ayathil, Mevaram and other junctions where local traffic joins NH-66.
Q7. Is the current six-laning project a completely new Kollam Bypass?
No. The present NH-66 programme is widening and upgrading the existing highway corridor and its approaches. It should not be understood as a separate second bypass running around Kollam.
Q8. How much extra time should I keep for the airport while NH-66 work is continuing?
There is no fixed delay because conditions change by day and location. For a flight from Thiruvananthapuram, keep a generous buffer and check live traffic before leaving, especially during peak periods, rain or active construction diversions.
