Kozhikode: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) has ignited controversy by erecting a board claiming rights over a section of the state highway that passes through its campus. The board, placed at Kattangal and the 12th mile on the Kunnamangalam-Agastiamuzhi road, asserts that the land belongs to NIT, which operates under the central government, and prohibits public transport in the area. This action has provoked protests from locals and travelers, amplified by social media outrage.

The board installed declared that the land through which the road passes belongs to NIT and should not be encroached upon. This road is a crucial link connecting the hilly region of the district with Kunnamangalam. The state government declared it a state highway three months ago as part of a tunnel construction project, a key initiative aimed at upgrading the tunnel into a four-lane road to accommodate increased traffic.

In 2003, the then MLA, UC Raman, made a similar claim to the road, but authorities abandoned further action following protests from locals. 

Potential impact on commuters 
NIT has approached the state government multiple times to hand over the road section from Kattangal to the 12th mile, which crosses the campus. However, the state government has rejected this request. If the road is transferred to NIT, passengers would need to take a detour from Kattangal to the 12th mile via Company Mukku. This detour would significantly inconvenience patients traveling to and from Kozhikode Medical College, especially since the 12th mile section has been demolished for the Company Mukku road renovation.

The protest is strong 
The local community is strongly opposing NIT's actions. The road, which predates NIT by a century, has been a vital bus route for years. Locals argue that while the Regional Engineering College (REC), the precursor to NIT, was established in 1961 on one side of the road, the hostel and director's residence were added later, leading to the campus expanding on both sides of the road.

P.T.A. Rahim, the local MLA, emphasized that the road is owned by the Public Works Department (PWD) and has been designated a state highway. He noted that the government had not approved NIT's proposal to construct an underpass to connect the campus areas. Rahim stated that NIT's demand to redirect the public road is unacceptable, especially since students will be able to travel smoothly once ongoing construction work is completed.

Chathamangalam Panchayat President speaks out 
Chathamangalam Panchayat President, Olikkal Gafoor, highlighted that the PWD has invested crores of rupees in road renovation. He warned that if NIT persists with its demands, authorities will be compelled to mobilize the community for a strong agitation.