Thiruvananthapuram: Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the 220 land owners on the Thalassery - Mahe bypass who had parted with their land 40 years ago. At a high-level all-party meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road transport and highways, decided that once the land value is assigned by the district collector, an additional 12 percent tax would be provided to the harried land owners.
Earlier, the arbitration committee had earmarked Rs 138 crore towards the land value which also includes the cost of the houses, dismantling and transporting.
This was challenged by the National Highway Authority of India in the court which went on for decades.
But in the meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, it has been decided that 12 percent interest will be given to the land owners after the district collector would finalise the value.
Former BJP State president P. K. Krishnadas who attended the meeting told DC that the latest decision could save at least Rs 25 crore.
“The Thalassery – Mahe bypass is passing through my home, and 220 people have been affected for more than four decades now. They have been unable to sell their land or to get a bank loan due to the inordinate delay,” he said.
Now with an out of court settlement reached between the NHAI and the displaced people, they will be coming out with a joint statement to be presented in the court.
Accordingly, Nitin Gadkari directed the concerned officials of Public Works Department, NHAI, district collectors at the two ends and MLAs to expedite the process.
Now the NHAI will inform the district collectors in Kannur and Mahe where they will finalise the land value and enter into an agreement.
