NHAI to Begin Compensation for Outer Ring Road Landowners

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon disburse compensation to 25 landowners in Pallichal, Venganoor, and Vilappil panchayats as part of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) project connecting Vizhinjam to Navaikulam. The payments, approved by NHAI headquarters, will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

In the first phase, the district administration has finalized a list of 25 landowners, all of whom own only land parcels, making their cases easier to process. District Collector Anu Kumari confirmed that funds have already been approved, and NHAI will disburse the payments shortly. “The process is progressing, and we aim to complete compensation for the next 29 landowners by March 2025. All 6,500 affected landowners will receive compensation, so there is no need for apprehension,” she reassured.

NHAI Project Director Deba Prasad Sahoo stated that the first phase involves 0.8 hectares across three villages, with disbursements expected soon.

However, concerns persist among landowners awaiting compensation. Action Council Convener S. Chandramohanan Nair expressed frustration over delays. “Many landowners are in distress, unable to conduct transactions for two years. Only 25 have been informed so far, while thousands of us remain uncertain about timelines. Officials estimate it could take another three years to complete land acquisition, which is unacceptable,” he said.

The ORR project, spanning 63 kilometers, was financially cleared in August 2024 by the Union Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways with a budget of ₹4,767 crore. The road will connect Vizhinjam and Navaikulam via Thekkada on NH-66. However, a proposed 12-km link from Thekkada to Mangalapuram was recently dropped from the plan.

Initially designed as a 70-meter-wide, six-lane highway with 25-meter service roads, the plan has been scaled down to a 45-meter width, comprising a 30-meter main carriageway and 15-meter service roads. NHAI aims to commence construction by April 2025, though protests and delays continue to challenge the project’s progress.