Even as the works for the construction of the Thalasssery-Mahe National Highway bypass from Muzhappilangad here to Azhiyur near Mahe are fast progressing, additional land has to be acquired in some parts along the stretch to ensure the required width of 45 metres.
The alignment of the bypass to detour Thalassery and Mahe towns was finalised over three decades ago and the land acquisition process began in 1992.
Land issue
Though the bypass project got delayed because of various issues, it was started in December last year and was set to be completed by May 2020.
Though the land was acquired for a width of 45 metres along the stretches where acquisition was completed decades ago, in some parts that width was not available for developing the road as per the Indian Road Congress standards.
“When the land was acquired decades ago, the IRC standards were not complied with and therefore in some parts 22.5 metre width on either side of the central point marking is not available for the highway with IRC standards, though land was acquired for 45-metre width,” said a Revenue official involved in acquisition of land for National Highway bypasses. “As additional land is required in such places, efforts are on to purchase the land from land owners through negotiation,” he added.
When contacted, officials of the National Highway Authority of India regional office in Kozhikode said that study was going on to tackle the issue. “If required additional land has to be acquired and right now the issue is in the discussion stage,” he said. The works started in December were not affected by the issue, he added.
The 18km-long bypass, once completed, would ease traffic congestion at Thalassery and Mahe.
Though the land for 12-km stretch of the bypass was acquired decades ago, the process of acquisition of the remaining land from Chokli here to Azhiyur in Kozhikode district bordering Mahe started a few years ago.