KOTTAYAM: Even as the proposal regarding the construction of a flyover at Kanjikuzhy in Kottayam has run into an impediment due to the opposition of shop owners at Kanjikuzhy junction, the district administration has convened a meeting of all stakeholders next Monday.
According to sources, at the last meeting convened at the collectorate, a few of the shop owners of Kanjikuzhy have expressed their protest against the construction of the flyover in the area. According to the shop owners, if the flyover is constructed, most of their shops established on the side of the Kottayam- Kumaly national highway will become marginalised.
Collector Mr Ajith Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that considering the opposition of the shop owners, another proposal for a four lane road was proposed by Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at that meeting.
“Considering the viability of the two projects, we have decided to implement one of them which is less damaging and more acceptable to the public. The meeting on Monday will discuss the viability of the two projects and we will consider the most appropriate one”, Mr Ajith Kumar added.
Meanwhile, some of the shop owners in Kanjikuzhy junction are ready to give land for the flyover, provided they are given a reasonable compensation. However, going by the current pace, sources said that the government was planning to take away the land without giving them any.
“We feel that the government plans to acquire the land without giving us compensation. Instead they say they will give us permission to build buildings. This is unacceptable as a large section of shop owners only have two to three cents of land. We are ready to give the land provided we are given reasonable compensation”, a shop keeper told DC on condition of anonymity.
