A separate cell with headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram will be set up to expedite the land acquisition for the development of National Highway (NH) corridors.
The decision was communicated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Union Minister was also informed that a senior IAS official will be given responsibility of the proposed cell.
Mr. Gadkari assured the Chief Minister that the Ministry would complete the NH development in a time-bound manner. As the State had two monsoons, the Minister told the Chief Minister that it was better to go for concrete roads that have a longer life and offered better ride for motorists. To this, the Chief Minister said the State was ready for the shift.
If the State speeded up the land acquisition process and handed over the land, Mr. Gadkari said there would be no hurdles or delay in providing funds. Bids could be floated only if 60% of the land needed for a project was acquired.
The Chief Minister told Mr. Gadkari that the land acquisition proceedings were going on. Six-lane corridors would be built in come stretches having a 45-metre right of way.
