Question : FOUR LANING OF NH IN KOLLAM

(a) whether the Government/NHAI is carrying out construction work on the four laning of a National Highway in Kollam;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there are reports/complaints that land acquisition for the said project has been carried out only on one side of the said National Highway;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government/NHAI for equitable acquisition of land on both sides of said National Highway?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(SHRI R. P. N. SINGH)

(a)and(b) The bids for 4-laning of Ochira to Thiruvananthapuram section (Km 465/000 to Km 551/900 of NH 47) including balance works of Kollam bypass were received on 24.8.09. However, these were cancelled because of insistence of the State Government of Kerala to construct the said 4 lane within 30m ROW instead of relaxed norm of 45m width.

(c)to(e) A number of representations were received for reducing the land acquisition by widening the road on both sides (concentric widening). Widening has been generally proposed by adding new 2 lane road by the side of existing 2 lane road (eccentric widening) to utilize the existing highway during construction stage, improvement of highway geometry, avoid acquisition of religious structures, public institutions etc.