The Calicut Development Authority (CDA) on Monday initiated the process of developing Kallayi Road by successfully organising a meeting of landowners here.
The meeting also constituted a seven-member committee to hold government-level talks in future. This committee will have its first meeting with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali shortly. But before that, a meeting will also be convened with the existing shopkeepers, officials said.
The project is aimed at decongesting the stretch between Muthalakulam and Areekad Junction, extending almost 6 km, on the National Highway 17 corridor. Land pooling and transferable development rights (TDR) have been proposed by the government for the purpose.
Land pooling has been regarded as the best readjustment technique for planned provision of urban infrastructure and supply of urban land without external investment. Similarly, TDR is a technique of land development that separates the development potential of a particular parcel of land from it and allows its use elsewhere within the defined zones of the city.
Funds crunch
Minister for Panchayats and Social Justice M.K. Muneer, who inaugurated the meeting, said that the government would give all support to the project. Today, the government could not go for conventional acquisition owing to paucity of funds. Modern techniques such as land pooling had to be used in such a situation.
Officials said that building rule exemption would be given to the maximum limit. Modalities would be worked out to set up a rehabilitation centre on the Corporation land at Meenchantha. Plots for the purpose would be made public only after a proper survey.
A. Pradeepkumar, MLA; CDA chairman N.C. Aboobacker and secretary A.M. Jayan; PWD Superintending Engineer A.P. Pramod; Regional Town Planner K.V. Abdul Mallik; Deputy Chief Engineer (DMRC) K. Gopalakrishnan, and Corporation Engineer K.D. Ajayghosh took part in the meeting.
