MAHE: On the day, the Pondicherry government organized silver jubilee celebrations of the E Valsaraj’s legislative service as Mahe MLA, the families affected by the Thalaserry –Mahe NH bypass acquisition process staged protest in Mahe demanding speedy acquisition and a fair deal.
It has been over 38 years, the 220 families hailing from Mahe, whose lands were first notified for acquisition of the proposed Thalassery-Mahe National Highway bypass, are waiting for compensation package.
Over 300 people participated in the satyagraha staged near Mahe Church premises by Mahe Bypass Road Action Committee. An online campaign has also been launched as part of the protest by changing the profile pictures in social media with protest slogan.
Though the residents are ready to give away the land for the rate stipulated by the District -level purchasing committee, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has not yet expressed their willingness to accept it.
A bypass on the national highway, from Muzhappilangad, between Kannur and Thalassery, to Azhiyoor in Kozhikode was suggested in 1977 with the aim to create a facility for long-distance vehicles to bypass Thalassery and Mahe towns which have narrow roads.
The acquisition process is only completed in Muzhappilangadu and Kodiyeri. “It is the lack of willpower from the political leadership in both Kerala and Puducherry owing to the pressure from people with vested interest, the residents are caught in affix even after three decades,” alleged Jinos Basheer, General Secretary of Mayyazhikoottam, an NRI collective of Mahe residents.
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