Payout disbursal resumes for remaining landowners

T'puram: The revenue wing of district administration has restarted compensation disbursal process for the remaining landowners affected by widening of Kodinada-Vazhimukku road stretch at Balaramapuram, bringing relief to around 100 beneficiaries.District collector Anu Kumari said the process, which temporarily slowed down due to poll-related duties, has now resumed at full speed. "There was no intentional delay. We processed the compensation at full speed, but election work interrupted the procedures in between. Now the process has restarted and we are hoping to complete it by the end of this month," she said. The 1.5-km Kodinada-Vazhimukku stretch forms part of the larger Karamana-Kaliyikkavila highway development project aimed at easing congestion on the busy NH-66 corridor and improving connectivity towards the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The project proposes a 30m-wide four-lane road with modern safety features. Officials said nearly 150 beneficiaries had already received compensation in earlier phases, while the remaining landowners and shopowners were awaiting document verification and final administrative clearances. The overall compensation package sanctioned for the project is estimated at more than Rs 100 crore. The delay affected the tendering process for the road work, as Kerala Road Fund Board can proceed with construction only after land acquisition formalities are completed. Residents and traders in the area repeatedly raised concerns over the prolonged uncertainty and financial strain caused by the delay.