More land being taken for NH widening: Activists
The protesters staged a march to the Kollam Collectorate on Thursday claiming it would displace thousands of people.
Kollam: The National Highway Protection Council will resist National Highway Authority of India?'s move to acquire additional land for NH 66. The protesters staged a march to the Kollam Collectorate on Thursday claiming it would displace thousands of people.
“If Karamana - Kaliyikkavila road could be constructed within 30 meters, such a development is required for the people along the NH 66 also. It proved 30-metre-wide land is enough for a six-lane road, which has already been acquired. The government should construct a six-lane road there. The move to create Nandigram by evicting people will not be permitted,” its chief C.R. Neelakantan said.
"This government is least concerned about the environment." The NHAI has proposed to acquire land of 45 meters width along the National Highway 66. But the activists claim that only 27-metre area was used to construct six-line Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road with a three-metre-wide divider.
He said there was no need of acquiring 45 meters as only 21 metres was required for a four-lane road of 14 metres. They allege there are vested interests behind the move.