Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 17 August 2010: Kerala will agree to the Central government’s stipulation that the National Highways (NHs) in the State should have a width of 45 metres upon development.
An all-party conference, convened by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan here on Tuesday, decided to reverse the decision of an all-party conference held in April that the width should not exceed 30.5 metres.

The Chief Minister told the media after the conference that the State was agreeing to the Central government’s proposals under duress. The participants felt that there was no other go but to agree to the Centre’s stipulation. Otherwise, development of the NHs in the State would be neglected by the Centre.

Achuthanandan said all the participants demanded that all evictees be compensated adequately. Those losing land should be given the market value of land. Besides, rehabilitation packages should be incorporated for those losing houses and shops.

A representative of the National Highways Authority of India, who attended the conference, said the value assessed by the State government could be provided as compensation.

Public Works Minister Vijayakumar said the government would shortly put up a compensation-cum- rehabilitation package to the Centre for approval. The Centre was sure to revive the project for development of highways. The proposed build-operate-and-transfer scheme would be part of the project. The leaders wanted an assurance that people would be evicted only after the compensation was paid.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said that political parties had earlier opposed the proposal for 45-m NHs as that would necessitate a second round of land acquisition. However, the national policy specified a width of 60 metres and an exemption had been granted for Goa and Kerala to the effect that the width could be a minimum of 45 metres.

He said that hardships from land acquisition should be minimised. Elevated roads and deviations should be approved to spare populated areas.