NH 66: CM Pinarayi Vijayan wants better compensation

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday that the state government would continue to pressure the centre for getting better compensation for people whose land is being acquired for NH-66.

Mr Vijayan, who was replying to an adjournment notice given by Mr V.D. Satheesan of the Congress in the Assembly, however, said that it would be difficult for the government to implement the compensation package, announced for the state projects, in the case of the national highway. “We cannot take up the financial liability of the compensation for a central government project,” said Mr Vijayan.

Traders, who are running business in rented shops for many years, would be adversely affected by the land acquisition as they would lose their means of livelihood, he said and pointed out that the issues of people whose land is being acquired for a second time should be shown more consideration.

The centre at one stage had taken a stand that it was difficult to acquire land in the state due to the exorbitant price. However, the state government told the centre that the density of population had resulted in higher land value, Mr Vijayan said.

Though Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan rejected the notice for the motion, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the Opposition was not walking out as the government had promised positive steps on the issue and urged the government to ensure fair compensation.

PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran earlier said that over 500 complaints had been received so far over the alignment, which had been sent to the NHA, he added.
Mr Satheesan said that some ‘vested interests’ were trying to create fear and confusion among the local people in connection with the land acquisition.