Thiruvananthapuram: National Highways Authority of India (chewing) has taken up the delay in acquisition of land for development of NH-66 with the State Government as the acquisition has not been completed in five districts even after a lapse of more than a month after the scheduled date of completion.
As per the presentation made by NHAI in the meeting called by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan On February 26, around 90.6% of the land for NH-66 development in the nine districts, which host the stretch in the state, has been completed. While in the northern districts the acquisition is almost complete Malappuram 100% Completed, Ernakulam (20.08% Acquisition Completed), Thrissur (77.49%), Alappuzha (86.75%), kollam (88.38%) and Thiruvananthapuram (90.11%) are yet to complete the acquisition. In the last meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on October 26 last year, the state had assured 100% acquisition by January 31 this year.
Whereas, Malappuram (100%), Kannur (99.99%), Kozhikode (99.88%) and Kasaragod (98.19%) have either completed or nearing completion of land acquisition. The mutation of land in favor of the Government of India has not been completed even in cases where the land acquisition was completed long ago.
NHAI pointed to several other issues related to NH development in the state, including lack of cooperation from service providers like Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL) and Kerala Water Authority (KWA). NHAI stated that there was lack of dedicated support for NHAI projects from KSEB and KWA to expedite the process of material approval, inspection etc. as part of shifting of utilities.
It has also sought environment clearance for setting up and operating stone mines for NHAI projects and special exemption from mining plan rules to avoid any delay in the implementation of road development projects. NHAI requested the state to consider amending such clauses and conditions relating to environment clearance and mining plan for setting up and operating stone mines including plantation areas, so that the ongoing projects can be completed before 2023.
NHAI brought to the notice of the Government that Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are not maintaining sufficient balance in FASTag wallet, resulting in FASTag being blacklisted and double payment to recipients exempted under National Highways Duty Rules. have to do. So far, Rs 106.36 crore has been claimed by the concessionaire against NHAI in this regard and KSRTC has paid only Rs 3.05 crore to the concessionaire.
As per the order of the state government issued on February 18, 2012, the government has agreed to bear user charges for vehicles including cars, vans, jeeps and light carriage vehicles for all panchayats and corporation divisions within 10 km radius of the Paliekkara toll plaza. was expressed. Thrissur. Based on this, the state has paid Rs 3.59 crore for the period February-September 2012 and Rs 27.37 crore from October 2012 to March 2021.
The Center has asked the state to amend the process of issuing free passes. It has been proposed that an authorized person from the State Government should be deputed to authenticate free pass applications issued to local residents so as to avoid any future dispute over free pass claims.
As per the presentation made by NHAI in the meeting called by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan On February 26, around 90.6% of the land for NH-66 development in the nine districts, which host the stretch in the state, has been completed. While in the northern districts the acquisition is almost complete Malappuram 100% Completed, Ernakulam (20.08% Acquisition Completed), Thrissur (77.49%), Alappuzha (86.75%), kollam (88.38%) and Thiruvananthapuram (90.11%) are yet to complete the acquisition. In the last meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on October 26 last year, the state had assured 100% acquisition by January 31 this year.
Whereas, Malappuram (100%), Kannur (99.99%), Kozhikode (99.88%) and Kasaragod (98.19%) have either completed or nearing completion of land acquisition. The mutation of land in favor of the Government of India has not been completed even in cases where the land acquisition was completed long ago.
NHAI pointed to several other issues related to NH development in the state, including lack of cooperation from service providers like Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL) and Kerala Water Authority (KWA). NHAI stated that there was lack of dedicated support for NHAI projects from KSEB and KWA to expedite the process of material approval, inspection etc. as part of shifting of utilities.
It has also sought environment clearance for setting up and operating stone mines for NHAI projects and special exemption from mining plan rules to avoid any delay in the implementation of road development projects. NHAI requested the state to consider amending such clauses and conditions relating to environment clearance and mining plan for setting up and operating stone mines including plantation areas, so that the ongoing projects can be completed before 2023.
NHAI brought to the notice of the Government that Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are not maintaining sufficient balance in FASTag wallet, resulting in FASTag being blacklisted and double payment to recipients exempted under National Highways Duty Rules. have to do. So far, Rs 106.36 crore has been claimed by the concessionaire against NHAI in this regard and KSRTC has paid only Rs 3.05 crore to the concessionaire.
As per the order of the state government issued on February 18, 2012, the government has agreed to bear user charges for vehicles including cars, vans, jeeps and light carriage vehicles for all panchayats and corporation divisions within 10 km radius of the Paliekkara toll plaza. was expressed. Thrissur. Based on this, the state has paid Rs 3.59 crore for the period February-September 2012 and Rs 27.37 crore from October 2012 to March 2021.
The Center has asked the state to amend the process of issuing free passes. It has been proposed that an authorized person from the State Government should be deputed to authenticate free pass applications issued to local residents so as to avoid any future dispute over free pass claims.