Promising time-bound completion of the widening of the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila stretch of the national highway (NH), Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday formally inaugurated the first phase of the project at Pappanamcode here.
Stating that the public had waited too long for the work to begin, Mr. Chandy said procedures would be set in motion to ensure that work on the second phase — from Pravachambalam to Vazhimukku — would begin before the first phase from Karamana to Pravachambalam was completed. Instructions had been given to complete the first phase within a year, he said. Several issues, ranging from unavailability of land to round-the-clock busy traffic, had delayed the start of the work. Now, the District Collector had been entrusted with the task of accelerating the process for the second phase, with speedy land acquisition to be given top priority.
Mr. Chandy, who said his government had tried its best to convince the Centre to keep the width of national highways in the State at 30 metres, said the unwavering stance of the Centre had ‘forced’ the government to agree for 45 metres. However, the government would do everything possible to protect the interests of those who would lose land in the process by ensuring adequate compensation.
The first phase, 5.5km from Karamana to Pravachambalam, will be widened to 30.2m, with a three-metre median, utility services and drainages on both sides and development of junctions en route. Seventy-five families will be rehabilitated while 408 shops will be relocated.