KOCHI: The proposed Kannur-Mattannur greenfield road project which is expected to implement the new Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) policy of the state government for land acquisition is yet to get the consent of the local people. The project, muted to assure smooth traffic flow to the upcoming Kannur international airport, requires extensive acquisition of land for the 20-km-long-road. Even the feasibility study for the project prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD) has been put on hold after protests from the local people. An action committee formed by the local people has been demanding the suspension of activities to build the greenfield road since 2011. And no concrete attempt has been made so far to ally the fears of the local people, it was alleged.But the PWD officials opine that there are enough provisions to provide compensation to those whose properties will be acquired. “A lot of people will be benefited from the project. The concerns of the people have to be addressed accordingly. In the new R&R policy there is a provision to provide people having an annual income of less than Rs 75,000, with alternative land.“It also has provisions for compensating petty shop owners and squatters who will be displaced during the land acquisition,” said PWD secretary Manoj Joshi. The officials at the Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) are also hopeful to sort out the issues. “Though there is an existing road from Melechovva to Mattannur, the proposed greenfield road will ensure fast and free movement of traffic. Substantial compensation mechanism is in place. So people need not worry,” said deputy manager of KIAL Ajaykumar.
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