KANNUR: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed the suggestions to construct an elevated highway at Keezhattoor to save the paddy fields, saying the centre had objected to it as it is not financially viable. He was speaking after inaugurating the construction work of Mambaram bridge across Ancharakandy river at Dharmadam near Thalassery on Friday. "Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had informed that an elevated highway will cost Rs 140 crore per km and is unviable in the case," he said.
"The state will not abandon such developmental projects due to protests from some quarters. Everybody needs development but nobody is ready to hand over land for the projects," he added. On the ongoing protest at various parts of the state against the land acquisition procedures for the expansion of national highway, Mr Vijayan said that the former LDF government had convened an all-party meet to discuss the issue, which had decided to limit the width at 45 metres. But the UDF government failed to take follow-up action. "Now, only a few groups with vested interests are supporting the agitation," he said and added that all mainstream political parties had backed out from the agitation.
