Road development reach-II: 389 families to be hit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The social impact assessment (SIA) report published by the district administration has revealed that 389 families would be affected by land acquisition for the construction of second reach of Pazhakutty-Mangalapuram Road.
As much as 291.07 ares of land required for the project are under the possession of 414 landowners. Land is being acquired from Keezhthonnakkal, Ayiroopara, Vembayam, Koliyakode, Manikal and Thekkada revenue villages.
The reach-II of the road development project has been planned in areas under Manikkal, Pothencode and Vembayam village panchayats. The report notes that with the completion of three reaches, it will be easy to access Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam MC Road and Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam National Highway.
Land acquisition will also affect 115 shops and 539 trees. While 77% of landowners have owned the land for more than five years, 228 owners inherited the property and 161 people bought the land in their possession, the report states.
The people being impacted by the project have demanded that there shall be relaxations in building rules during reconstruction of houses and shops and that adequate compensation must be ensured.
During the public hearing, people also pointed out that 'Puramboke' land was exempted and private land was chosen for land acquisition.
They also cited that earlier land was given away for road development without receiving any compensation and hence they should be properly compensated this time. Concerns were also raised regarding the alignment. It was cited that the stones were laid in an unscientific manner and a rehabilitation package shall be announced for those who take shop rooms on lease.
Land belonging to 307 individuals in 264 families will be acquired for reach-1. The reach 1, 2 and 3 are envisaged in such a way that it will begin from Pazhakutti on T'puram-Sengottai Road and will cross Kanyakulangara on T'puram-Kottayam MC Road to intersect at Mangalapuram on T'puram-Kollam NH.
The project area covers five wards in Nedumangad municipality, four wards in Anadu panchayat and three wards in Vembayam panchayat. As many as 14 main junctions will be developed as part of the project.