Despite Rs 20,000 fund, NH development hits roadblock

Unfortunately people are still hesitant to part with their land. Locals in the Karamana - Kaliyiikkavila stretch in Thiruvananthapuram got Rs 13 lakh per cent during the first phase of the development work. However, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson has disapproved the granting of Rs 16 lakh per cent in the second phase. Similarly the locals in Attingal have already parted with their land and are demanding Rs 50 lakh per cent as per the local market rate. When Gadkari had come to the capital city on Friday for a brief stopover on his way to Suchindram to lay the foundation stone of the National Highway Authority of India’s development works in Kanyakumari district, he had announced Rs 20, 000 crore for the State. Gadkari has been saying for quite some time that the union Government plans to give hefty compensation, four times more than the district collectors have announced towards land acquisition. But a majority of the local population are disbelieving.

“As long as land acquisition is not possible, what is the point in talking about compensation? The local people are looking for current market rates. In the case of the second phase of Karamana – Kaliyyikkavila, the District Level Purchase Committee’s decision to award Rs 16 lakh for a cent has been put on hold”, said a senior PWD official. In the case of Attingal town development, already Rs 22.7 crore has been sanctioned by the union Government. In this case, Attingal locals have come forward to part with their land even before the compensation rate has been fixed.

“PWD has decided to emulate the locals’ decision in Attingal in other parts of the State.