It's for Centre to decide, says James Mathew

KANNUR: Coming down hard on what he termed as fake ecologists, Taliparamba legislator James Mathew has said it was the Union government that decides on the alignment the national highways. Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, he said the state government had no discretion on it. He lambasted ecologists and media over the faceoff at Keezhattoor area marked for an NH bypass. "Hundreds of acres of wetland and water sources have been destroyed for the bypass at Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode and elsewhere. Why are the greens not bothered there? Why better roads are denied to Taliparamba only?" he fumed.

Mr Mathew said 64 water resources were lost for the bypass in Kodungallur alone, but it didn't become an issue like Keezhattoor.  "If the ongoing bypass works at Kollam, Thalassery, Payyannur and elsewhere will be ceased for green cause, we, people of Taliparamba are also ready to surrender the demand for better transport," he said.  "Does the development process need to stall for the sake of fake greens and media?".  He asserted that only 25 acres of paddy field need to be acquired for the bypass project. The outcome of the Chengannur by-elections will be an indicator to the Kerala Congress (M) future decisions.