Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the Centre’s decision to issue a directive to the NHAI to legally contest the Collector’s order enhancing compensation for lands acquired from Chenkal-Karode residents.
The residents had willingly given their lands to NHAI for the formation of Kazhakootam-Karode Bypass road, Mr Tharoor said in a statement.
In a letter to the Union minister for road transport Nitin Gadkari, Mr Tharoor pointed out that the original determination of land value in Chenkal-Karode village was low in comparison to land value from Kottukal to Thirupuram, and the nature of value determination was arbitrary and against principles of natural justice. It caused serious disparity, discrimination and undue hardship to residents. The claimants had subsequently got a favourable arbitral award to enhance compensation by 50 percent. The Centre’s challenge will prolong the struggle, the MP said.
