Decks have been cleared for disbursing more compensation to those who have surrendered land for the development of the Kazhakuttam-Karode National Highway 66 bypass in the Kottukal-Karode stretch.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sanctioned ₹7.33 crore for payment to those in the corridor who petitioned against the ₹3.25 lakh per cent compensation fixed by the district administration. Nine per cent interest from the date of notification will also be given.
The sanctioned amount is 15% more than the amount fixed by the district administration.
Transferred
The ₹7.33 crore was transferred from the centralised account of the CALA (Competent Authority for Land Acquisition) to the Deputy Collector, Land Acquisition, on Monday, an NHAI official told The Hindu here. The district administration would have to transfer the amount to the bank accounts of the land owners after completing the formalities. The amount includes the ₹1.39 crore sanctioned in November by the NHAI to the first 20 of the 400 complainants.
The NHAI’s decision is based on the recommendation of the District Collector, who was appointed as arbitrator, following a 15-day strike by the Kazhakuttam-Karode Bypass Action Council in May, 2017 demanding higher compensation. The initial petitions were heard by the then District Collector S. Venkatesapathy and after his transfer, by K. Vasuki.
Although the council that spearheaded the stir for those in Kottukal, Kanjramkulam, Chenkal, Thirupuram, and Karode villages is not happy with the 15 % increase, the NHAI is of the view that this will calm down the residents and help them execute the works as per the schedule.
The council had demanded ₹5.25 lakh a cent for category A land and 10% less for other four categories of land as fixed by the District Purchase Committee that met on October 9, 2013.
‘Speed up hearing’
Council chairman V. Sudhakaran said 100 persons would benefit from the sanctioned amount. The District Collector should speed up the hearing of the 1,400 complaints before her and pass the award, he added.
Meanwhile, 30% of the work on the 16.3 km Mukkola-Karode corridor had been completed and the EPC contractor L&T Construction can also now expedite the work.
