Despite the decent pace of work ensured by the Public Works Department (PWD), the widening of the 29.2-km Karamana-Kaliyikkavila stretch of the National Highway (NH) 66 is likely to be hit by legal tangles.
Official sources say that the four-laning of the 5.5-km stretch from Karamana to Pravachambalam, which constitutes the first phase of the project, is “nearly 50 per cent complete.” The work that was launched in October last has reached Pappanamcode.
Retaining walls
“The construction of retaining walls on either side of the NH is also nearing completion until the Pappanamcode junction. The laying of precast drains, which have been prepared at Nemom, along the stretch is expected to be completed without delay. The PWD has already handed over the required amount to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) for shifting utilities. Moreover, the shifting of two electric transformers at the earliest will increase the chances of completing almost the entire work until Pappanamcode by June 10,” an official told The Hindu .
However, the stay orders that have been secured by certain groups against demolishing a few buildings, which fall on the alignment of the proposed 30.2-metre four-lane carriageway, pose a threat to the progress of the project. Ten buildings that belong to private individuals and a plot that belong to the Chavara trust are currently entangled in legal disputes, informed sources say. Under the existing circumstances, the completion of the work depends upon the efforts that are being made by the Revenue Department in getting the stay orders vacated.
Meanwhile, the trading community is apprehensive that obstacles to the work will affect their businesses. Shakuntala, who runs a bakery at Pappanamcode, is perturbed that the delay in re-laying the dug-up road in front of her establishment has resulted in a fall in business. She holds the view that the KWA has been unnecessarily delaying the pipeline-laying work in the area. Another complaint raised by many traders was regarding the dust that is whipped up by the road-widening work.
However, there are many who echo the view of Rajesh, who runs a pharmacy in the locality.
“We are prepared to bear such difficulties for the sake of the development of our land. The completion of the four-laning work will result in multiple benefits for the local community,” he says.
