Protests mar widening of S.N. Junction-Poothotta road

KRFB lays boundary stones for 22-metre-wide corridor on Thripunithura SN Junction-Poothotta Road amid landowner protests.

The Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has begun laying boundary stones along the 13.40-km Thripunithura S.N. Junction-Poothotta road to redevelop it as a 22-metre-wide corridor, amid protests by landowners in several areas.

Landowners are opposing what they claim is a change in the road’s alignment to accommodate bus bays and widen nine junctions in the congested corridor linking Ernakulam with Kottayam.

In 2017, the State government had granted administrative sanction of ₹300 crore to develop the road, followed by a ₹450-crore financial sanction in 2020 to acquire approximately 12 hectares of land for the project.

Official sources said boundary stones had been laid along a 7.50-km stretch, starting from Kannankulangara Junction in Thripunithura.

“This was done after publishing the 6(1) notification for land acquisition. However, KRFB officials are facing protests from landowners in some areas where the road’s alignment has changed. They insist that prior notice must be issued to all landowners before laying boundary stones. The long-overdue project to widen the narrow, accident-prone road into a 22-metre-wide, four-lane road can be completed only if landowners cooperate with officials,” they added.

In some areas, boundary stones were initially laid for 20-metre width. KRFB personnel are encountering opposition as they attempt to adhere to the revised 22-metre width norm, which is crucial for ensuring fast and safe commute. This width is also essential for constructing sufficiently wide footpaths. Officials might require police protection if opposition to stone-laying continues, they added.

The corridor’s alignment was changed by the PWD (Design Wing) to adhere to the KRFB safety norms, particularly at junctions where traffic congestion is likely if there are no bus bays and free-left turns. The detailed project report (DPR) in keeping with the revised alignment is currently being readied, it is learnt.