The process of taking over the land notified for developing the National Highway stretch in the district is in progress despite protests by local residents against the alignments at a few places.
The land notified for acquisition for NH development included construction of the proposed Payyannur, Taliparamba and Kannur bypasses.
The land acquisition process is undertaken in two sections. While the land to be acquired from Karivellur to the Valapattanam bridge is in the Taliparamba section, that to be acquired from the Valapattanam river to Muzhappilangad is in the Kannur section.
The stretch of the highway to be developed in the Kannur section includes the Kannur bypass. The land to be acquired is in nine panchayats: Chirakkal, Puzhathi, Valiyannur, Elayavur, Chelora, Edakkad, Chembilode, Kadambur and Muzhappilangad.
The alignment was approved and final 3D notification for acquiring the total 79.89 hectare was issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
“The process of taking over the land in the Kannur section by giving compensation to the landowners is progressing fast and it has already started in five of the nine villages,” said John Paul Chittilapully, special tahsildar (land acquisition, NH), who is the competent authority for acquisition in the section.
Of the ₹173 crore sanctioned now for payment of compensation, ₹50 crore had already been disbursed, he said. 4.6 ha had already been taken over, he added. He exuded hope that 60% of the notified land would be taken over by December.
Only glitch
The only glitch is the protest by residents of Kottakkunnu in Chirakkal village who want change in the alignment. Of the 22 km stretch of the Kannur bypass, Chirakkal village has only about 3 km and the protest against alignment is confined to a few parts there. Total land to be acquired in the village is around 15 ha.
“With the 3D notification, 100% of the land notified for acquisition is vested with the Central government with all encumbrances,” said K.V. Abdulla, retired Deputy Collector, who is liaising for the acquisition process in the district.
He said that people whose land was notified for the bypasses were largely responding positively as they were getting good compensation.
Land acquisition in the Taliparamba section is also progressing despite the stalemate at Keezhattur where residents are agitating against the alignment of the Taliparamba bypass.
The land notified for the NH development is in 12 villages: Karivellur, Vellur, Korome, Kunhimangalam, Cheruthazham, Kadannappally, Pariyaram, Taliparamba, Morazha, Kalliassery, Ezhome and Pappinissery.
₹170 cr disbursed
Of the ₹250 crore sanctioned for paying compensation, ₹170 crore has been disbursed.
The total extent of notified land in the section is 105.76 ha. An extent of 9 ha has been taken over by paying compensation. Acquisition process is under way except in Keezhattur and Pappinissery.
Payment of compensation has started in seven villages. Here also the 3D notification process is completed.
