Call for change in Ernakulam bypass alignment

Kochi: As National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to start construction of Ernakulam bypass road connecting Angamaly with Kundannoor, a fresh demand for change in alignment in Maradu municipality area is raising concern.
Ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) had issued 3A notification for land acquisition for the proposed highway, which will bypass busy stretches of NH 544 and NH 66 in the city.
The fresh demand is to change the existing alignment in Kundannoor and Thiruvankulam regions, as these areas are highly populated. An action council, which was formed in Maradu municipality a few days ago, has decided to approach NHAI and people's representatives with the demand.
The action council, led by eminent political functionaries in the area, has also announced that it will launch a protest raising the demand. A meeting of the action council has pointed out that acquiring available vacant land would be easier than acquiring land in highly populated areas.
As revenue authorities are all set to begin the acquisition process, the demand for a major change in alignment may cause further delay of the long-pending project.
Maradu municipality deputy chairperson Reshmi Sanil said the earlier alignment was better than the recently announced one as the land acquisition would affect around 40 houses in Valanthakadu region alone. "As per the 3A notification, people can raise complaints against the proposal for land acquisition and it is expected that NHAI authorities would actively consider the demand," she said.