Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Mar 9: The legislators of the district have urged the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to reduce the land acquisition requirement with regard to the widening of the national highway 17 stretch between Kundapur and Talapady, to spare a number of people, who will otherwise lose their homes and livelihood.
MLAs Abhaychandra Jain and U T Khader, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, V Ponnuraj, Udupi deputy commissioner, Hemalata, secretary of the public works department, officials of NHAI and representatives of the firm executing the contract, participated in the meeting held in Bangalore on Monday March 8, under the presidentship of the state chief secretary, Ranganath, at the Vidhan Saudha. The MLAs were vociferous in their demand for decreasing the land acquisition needs from the proposed 60 metres to 45 metres, pointing out that Kerala and Goa governments had agreed to set aside only 45 metres for the highway widening projects there. “Why is NHAI insisting on 60 metre-stretch of land in the coastal districts?” they questioned.
The legislators said that thousands of houses, shops and commercial buildings will get demolished if 60 metre-wide stretch is acquired, giving rise to a grave problem. They suggested for the acquisition of 45 metres of land at present, as only four-lane highway is being built now, duly marking the balance 15 metres for future acquisition, without evicting the people from their bases now. Both the MLAs also suggested for the construction of a fly over at Mulky junction, instead of the proposed by pass, to reduce the need for land acquisition.
As the officials of NHAI and the contracting firm did not agree to budge from their stated stand, it was decided to refer the matter to the state Chief Minister for a final decision.
The other demands put forth by the legislators were, construction of a fly over at Tokkottu-Talapady road, payment of compensation for the land acquired at market rates, enhance eligibility of compensation to traders functioning in rented buildings from the current 10% to 25% of the total compensation, etc. They also insisted on the convening of a meeting of the people’s representatives, deputy commissioner, NHAI officials, contractors and road consultants in Dakshina Kannada district immediately, to list and sort out problems related to the highway widening.