No going back on NH 17 widening: PWD.

Even as a section of people are up in arms against widening of National Highways (NH) in the State to a width of 45 metres, the PWD (NH) wing has made it clear that there is no going back on the decision to widen them.

This includes the densely populated Edappally-Moothakunnam corridor on NH 17 where land was acquired at 30-metre width three decades ago, following which people resettled on the rest of the land available with them.

“As per the current decision, this corridor too will be widened to 45 metres for National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to begin the four-laning work. Further details on the State government confirming NH development at 45-metre width will emerge later this week. People who surrender land will be compensated as per revised relief and resettlement norms laid down by NHAI,” said a top PWD official.

In the meantime, the NH 47 and 17 Samrakshana Samity has in a press release condemned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s stand that there will not be any compromise on lessening the width of Kerala’s NHs from 45 metres.

This will lead to further displacement, especially in NH 17 where people surrendered land earlier to widen it to 30 metres.

THE HINDU