Talks held between the District Collector and representatives of the NH Samara Samiti, which is on the warpath opposing a second round of land acquisition between Edappally and Moothakunnam to widen NH 66 (formerly NH 17), ended in a stalemate on Tuesday.
Members of around 1,000 families and traders have been on the warpath for about a decade demanding that a six-lane NH be built on the 30-metre-wide land that was acquired from them over two decades ago. They also sought the construction of an elevated road to further decongest the stretch if needed, to prevent a second round of eviction in the name of widening the national highway to 45 metre.
A press release by the Samiti said that no consensus could be reached on 11 points where differences persisted between them and government agencies on land acquisition, the quantum of compensation, etc. The notification to acquire land was issued on the basis of the land acquisition Act of 1956, whereas land owners have been promised compensation under the new Act of 2013, said Hashim Chendampilly of the Samiti.
The compensation package for acquiring land on either side of the 163-km-long Edappally-Kozhikode stretch is meagre. Moreover, an elevated highway can be built in the Edappally-Moothakunnam portion using the compensation amount as per the new Act, he added.
MLA clarifies
Responding to this, V.D. Satheesan, MLA, who also attended the meeting, said that compensation will be given as per the new Act of 2013. “This was clarified by the District Collector. Thus, landowners will get market rate for land and buildings and up to 120% solatium. We are not competent to comment on the demand for an elevated highway. Our aim is to ensure that landowners and traders get maximum compensation,” he said.
Mr. Satheesan added that the State government is expected to take up with the Centre issues like compensation sought by traders who were functioning from rented premises. The Collector was unavailable for comment.
Over 150 people who opposed the survey for widening the stretch to 45 metrehad been arrested by the police on Monday and released on bail.
