NH-744 devpt: Centre awaits reply on state GST exemption

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has requested the Centre to exempt it from sharing 25% land cost for the proposed development of Kadampattukonam-TamilNadu/Kerala border section of NH-744 in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The proposed project’s main objective is to ensure connectivity between NH-744 (Kollam-Madurai expressway) and NH-66 (Mumbai-Kanyakumari) near Parippally.In reply to a question by Kollam MP N K Premachandran in the Lok Sabha, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said the state government had placed a request for exemption. He said the ministry sought an exemption of state GST and royalty in response. Reply to the same is awaited from the state government, as per the reply.Premachandran asked for the details of funds estimated for the construction of Greenfield Highway NH-744 in Kollam, action taken to complete the land acquisition, the reasons for delay in disbursing compensation and the details of the state’s 25% share for land acquisition. He also asked whether the Union government had requested for GST and royalty exemption for the highway.The proposed highway starts from its junction with NH-744 near Urukunnu village, Thenmala, in Kollam district, passes near Anchal town and ends at Kadampattukonam, Thiruvananthapuram, with its junction with NH-66. The proposed alignment’s length is approximately 38.3km.The expert appraisal committee under the ministry of environment, forests and climate change has given recommendation for the project. The land acquisition for the proposed alignment is approximately 202 ha of which majority is agricultural land. The proposed RoW of the project is 45m in revenue land and 30m in forest areas.The alignment comprises mainly greenfields (37.8km) and 0.5km of existing road. Around 99% of the alignment is greenfield.The proposed road will have structures for smooth flow of traffic, pedestrian movements and meeting the hydrologic requirements of the highway.As per the project summary, the proposed highway with greenfield alignment has been envisaged through an area which shall have the advantage of simultaneous development as well as result in a shorter distance to travel. The junctions with existing roads will be planned in the form of interchanges and flyovers to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic.The proposed road would act as the prime artery for the economic flow to this region. It will enhance economic development, provide employment opportunities to locals, strengthen tourist development, ensure road safety, and provide better transportation facilities and other facilities such as wayside amenities. Vehicle operating cost will also be reduced due to improved road quality. The compensatory plantation shall further improve the air quality of the region, the document notes.
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