Study: Nine Homes May Be Razed for Pavangad-Ulliyeri Road Project

Quick Summary

• A social impact assessment report was submitted to the district Collector regarding land acquisition for the Pavangad-Ulliyeri road development project.
• The proposed development stretches across 17.192 km, forming part of National Highway 38, connecting Pavangad and Ulliyeri via Purakkattiri and Atholi.
• the State government has sanctioned ₹82.36 crore for developing a 14-meter wide two-lane road.
• Land acquisition will affect 5.251 hectares from 1,107 owners, including:

– Nine houses demolished fully; eleven houses partially demolished.
– Ninety-six commercial establishments will be entirely impacted; another 210 partially affected (with a total of around 390 vendors and approximately 116 employees).

• Religious institutions (53 entities) are among the landowners involved in the acquisition process.
• Structural changes may be required at bridges like Purakkattiri and Eranhikkal due to their narrow widths (8 m). Suggested additions include footpaths or cycle tracks alongside existing bridges to improve safety during vehicle transitions.
• The second phase of this State Highway development project will focus on the Ulliyeri-Kuttyadi section under Kerala Road Fund Board.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The proposed Pavangad-Ulliyeri road development aims to modernize infrastructure critical for connectivity within northern Kerala.While addressing hazardous curves and narrow town roads could enhance commuter safety significantly, it also raises concerns about displacement impact on families, businesses, vendors, and employees-an unavoidable challenge in such urban-scale projects. Especially notable is the reliance on widening bridges with additional pedestrian/cycling provisions as a proactive measure toward balanced safety.

Effective implementation will require sensitive handling of property acquisitions involving residential spaces and religious institutions to avoid long-term socio-economic disruption in affected communities while maximizing public benefit through accessible infrastructure upgrades. Financial planning over multiple phases speaks for sustained commitment-but ongoing community engagement appears essential given the scale of anticipated consequences.for further details: Read more