Friday, June 11, 2010

WHEN ROADS LEAD TO NOWHERE

The government seeks further reduction in width of NH

The National Highway development in Kerala reached a cul-de-sac last week when the state government decided to stop land acquisition following stiff opposition from land owners and residents adjacent to the NH 47 and the NH 17. The state government — after an all-party meet — has decided to request the Central government to reduce the width of the proposed National Highway to 30 metres instead of the national standard of 60 metres.

Earlier, the National Highway Authority of India had reduced the width to 45 metres, considering the local conditions. But people were not satisfied. They have succeeded in pressuring the state government to take the issue up with the Central government in New Delhi.

An all-party delegation of state MPs presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But sources say it is unlikely to get special consideration. Most of the states have already started work for 60 metre-wide National Highway and even after the special consideration, Kerala failed to start acquisition work on time. NHAI chairman Brijeshwar Singh, while attending the all-party meet convened by chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, categorically said Kerala could have a highway of 30 metres width. “You can build a road of 30-metre width, but it won’t be a National Highway. It will only be a state highway,’’ Singh told the members at the meeting.

Besides, the NHAI has been accused of being partisan towards hotels and other industrial groups. The locals fear that if they give up the fight, they won’t get the compensation. “The state government is committed to look after its people’s interests. We are sure that a 30-metre wide highway will cater to the demands of the state,” he said. The highway issue had political fallout also. Days after the all-party meet decided to stall the work for highway development, Kerala Congress (J), the party which handles Works Department in the LDF Government, has signalled leaving the front and joining the Congress-led UDF.
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Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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