Six-laning of NH-66: Rs 11,119 cr distributed as compensation in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of Rs 11,119 crore has been distributed in the state as compensation for the six-laning of National Highway-66. As per the directive, the acquired land should be handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by December 31. The land acquisition in southern districts is taking longer than expected and is nearing the final stages in the northern districts. Though the land acquisition process started in 2018, it gained momentum only recently. 

Deputy collectors reported that the heavy rains interrupted the land acquisition in the state. The lack of enough employees in the land acquisition offices of Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts was another reason. If the land is not handed over within the specified time, then compensation money must be paid to the contractors. 

Many unclassified land areas belonging to unknown owners and without proper documents are yet to be acquired. As the landowners skipped the adalat for the land acquisition, the officials are now planning to initiate court proceedings. 

646.30 kilometres of NH from Thalappady in Kasaragod to Karod in Thiruvananthapuram will be upgraded to six-lane. 75 per cent of the expenditure of land acquisition will be borne by the Centre and 25 per cent by the state. 

Determination of value

The fair price of land is determined based on the value of land in the property documents in each area before issuing the land acquisition notification. Prices are determined by classifying land as panchayat, municipality and corporation. If there are buildings on the site, the price for that also will be paid. If the land acquisition is delayed despite the notification, 12 per cent interest of the land value should be paid to the owner.