NHAI Issues Preliminary Notification to Acquire More Land for Vizhinjam-Navaikulam Outer Ring Road

Thiruvananthapuram: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a preliminary notification under Section 3A to acquire an additional 28.7418 hectares of land for the Vizhinjam-Navaikulam Outer Ring Road project, which has been facing uncertainty amid allegations of inaction by the Centre. The notification follows the one issued last month for the acquisition of 260 hectares.

The latest notification covers land in Pulimath village in Chirayinkeezhu taluk; Kilimanoor and Karavaram; Vamanapuram, Pullampara, Aruvikkara and Nedumangad villages in Nedumangad taluk; Vizhinjam and Palllichal villages in Neyyattinkara taluk; Vilappil and Kulathummal villages in Kattakada taluk; and Kaduvoor and Navaikulam villages in Varkala taluk.

So far, acquisition proceedings have been completed for a total of 100 hectares for the project. However, compensation has not yet been distributed to the landowners. The project received environmental clearance last month. The NHAI says compensation can be distributed to those who have handed over their land once the Union Cabinet grants approval.

After the Union Cabinet approval, a memorandum of understanding will have to be signed with the state government.

The Centre has kept the major project, which is expected to facilitate the state's development, in limbo for nearly four years due to political motives. The Centre's delay in granting environmental clearance caused hardship to around 12,000 families who had handed over their land.

The previous LDF government had demanded that compensation be paid to landowners without delay, but the authorities maintained that the payments could be made only after obtaining centre's approval. The the UDF government has not been willing to hold discussions with the Centre on the issue.