Land Cost for Thiruvananthapuram’s ORR Project Doubles to ₹3,800 Cr

The adjustment of land costs for the Outer Ring Road (ORR) project’s long-awaited commissioning in Thiruvananthapuram has posed very serious financial problems: ₹1,800 crore has now risen to ₹3,800 crore. The 78-km stretch of road will connect Vizhinjam Port and Navaikulam through Thekkada to decongest the city and improve connectivity to the port.

The revised estimate, issued by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), will remain valid only until August. If landowners are not compensated by then, the cost is expected to rise further due to provisions under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act. The Act mandates 12% annual interest on delayed payments from the date of possession to the date of compensation.

The project requires the acquisition of 314 hectares spread across 24 villages. Despite being proposed years ago, the ORR has seen over three years of delay, with many landowners still waiting for payment. So far, 3D notifications—marking the final phase of land acquisition—have been issued for 11 villages, while the process remains pending in the rest.

A recent meeting between Kerala PWD Minister P.A. Mohammad Riyas and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari revived hopes for progress. Riyas said final central approvals were expected by the end of July.

Officials point out that further delay in compensation disbursement would not only inflate costs but could also derail a project significant to regional infrastructure development. Once executed, the ORR will act as a connecting link between NH-66 and Vizhinjam, contributing towards easing city traffic as well as aiding regional trade.

With escalating costs and passing time, the next few weeks are essential to save the project from any further slipping into uncertainty.