The proposal to widen the 16-km Kuttiyadi-Pakrathalam road, an alternative road to connect Kozhikode district to Wayanad, is likely to get an impetus with the District Development Committee (DDC) deciding to hold parleys with the land owners. The first meeting will be held at Kavilumpara on Saturday. Nadapuram MLA E.K. Vijayan will chair the meeting.

The Public Works Department (PWD) plans to widen the road to 15 metres by acquiring land on several stretches that currently have just 10-metre width. Drainage and footpath will be built in key locations.

Officials say that they can complete the project early if the land owners are ready to voluntarily transfer their land. Since the development of the route is crucial for de-congesting the Thamarassery Ghat Road, most land owners are said to back the proposal.

“The usual land acquisition procedure or negotiable purchase will not be a feasible option now for the widening of this road. What we seek is the cooperation of people to voluntarily surrender their land for the project, which is likely to be included in the State government's Rebuilding Kerala project,” said Mr. Vijayan. He also said the number of houses along the project area was minimal and that there would not be any strong objection from the public.

Mr. Vijayan said that the project details had already been discussed at the District Development Committee meeting and proposed for speedy implementation. “At first, we will hold discussions with the political party leaders and local land owners. Later, a separate meeting will be convened to address the concerns of those who are likely to object to the free exchange of land with the PWD,” he said.