Landowners in Balaramapuram Finally Receive Long-Awaited Compensation for Highway Project
After enduring months of uncertainty and financial strain, 52 landowners in Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The state government has initiated the disbursement of compensation for land acquired to facilitate the four-laning of a crucial 1.5-kilometer stretch from Kodinada to Vazhimukku. This development is a significant component of the broader Karamana-Kaliyikkavila Road development project, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.
Compensation Process Unlocked After Procedural Delays
The compensation, amounting to a substantial Rs 102 crore, had been held up due to various procedural and bureaucratic hurdles. However, the process has now been unlocked, with payments being released in a phased manner. Officials confirmed that land parcels belonging to 10 landowners have already been formally transferred by the revenue wing of the district administration to the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the agency responsible for implementing the project.
The next window for compensation disbursal is scheduled to open on February 17, according to a senior KRFB official. The official elaborated that the process will continue systematically. "The first window of land transfer is complete. In the next phase, landowners will be issued notices to vacate their shops and establishments within 10 days. Once they comply, the revenue department will take possession of the land and transfer it to KRFB," the official stated.
Timeline and Urgency to Avoid Further Delays
The entire land transfer and compensation process is expected to be finalized by the end of this month. There is a sense of urgency among officials, as the KRFB is keen to call tenders for the construction work before the model code of conduct for the forthcoming assembly elections comes into effect. Any delay beyond this point could potentially stall the project further, which is viewed as a critical infrastructure upgrade for the region.
Initially, compensation is being disbursed to landowners on the northern side of the 1.5-kilometer stretch at Kodinada. Payments for the remaining properties will progress southwards over the following days, ensuring a structured approach to the disbursement.
Background and Significance of the Project
The compensation process gained momentum after KRFB approved nearly Rs 99 crore for compensation approximately two weeks ago. This approval was a pivotal move that unlocked the stalled process and paved the way for subsequent construction activities. The land acquisition is part of concerted efforts to widen a vital link of the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila highway, which serves as a feeder corridor connected to National Highway 66.
The project aims to transform the existing road into a 30.2-meter-wide, four-lane corridor. This expansion is designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity to the southern parts of the district and the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, thereby boosting regional economic and social integration.
Relief for Landowners and Future Prospects
Despite many landowners having surrendered their properties months ago, the compensation delays had left them in financial distress. With payouts now underway, both officials and residents are hopeful that the long-delayed highway upgrade will proceed without further impediments. The resolution of this issue not only provides immediate relief to the affected landowners but also signals progress in a project that holds promise for enhanced infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
