Kozhikode: Bypass protest to follow Kezhattoor

Kozhikode: The Koyilandy Bypass Protest Samiti, which has been resisting the proposed 11-km Chengottu-kavu-Nandi bypass project (Koyilandy bypass) for the past four decades is now gearing up for a  Keezhattoor model stir.

As part of upholding the green cause like in Keezhattoor, the samiti has approached National Green Tribunal which in turn has sent notices to the union and state governments and the NHAI.

“Acquirement of 11 km road in 45 metres for the bypass will evict 1,200 families, five hills, hectares of paddy land, drinking water resources, Dalit colonies etc.

This will be a massive eviction which could have a devastative impact on environment,” says Divakaran Chalan, secretary of the samiti.

The samiti argues with the report of the legislative committee headed by Thomas Unniyadan, MLA, which studied about the feasibility of the project in 2013 and had concluded to abandon the project and take up an elevated highway project instead.

“The officials are spreading lies over the compensation. As per the notice slapped by NHAI, it was mentioned that '46,000 would be provided for an ‘Aaar’ (2.4 cent of land) according to the land acquisiton act of 1956. Twice that of the amount is being offered including the ex gratia. But people were told that '1,38,000 will be disbursed for a cent,” alleges V. Venugopal, a member of the samiti.

Meanwhile, NHAI has restarted the survey and stone laying of the project, at selected areas where there is least resistance. "The 3 A notification for the land acquisition has been issued on November 8 last year. The notification meant right to officials to enter the land," said Deputy Collector (NH land acquisition) V.R Mohanan Pillai. According to him, the land owners will get compensation as per the act of 2013.

Samiti leaders allege that several people having less than five cents of land will be landless after the acquisition. "There are Dalit colonies in Kunnyormala and Attavayal. It would be completely wiped out as per the present alignment," lamented Divakaran Chalan.