For more than ten years, residents have suggested low-cost alternatives and ensured that official surveys were carried out. Each time, they were told that the required land had already been acquired. Later, a Major District Road was upgraded to a National Highway even though it passes through densely populated areas. The land was acquired up to 30 metres for a two-lane highway and this process was completed long ago. Now, under the excuse of “verifying acquisition markings”, new boundary stones are being fixed. In some places old stones are kept, while in others they are removed and replaced. This unusual action has raised doubts.
Residents were clearly assured that the project would stay within the already acquired land and that no fresh acquisition would be required. Yet more land is now being sought. Even more worrying is that the road alignment has been changed in a way that appears to protect illegal structures, while long-standing family homes are being badly affected. The 45-metre setback rule from the centreline, along with small but important alignment changes, has also led to denial of basic services such as water connections, citing the need for fresh acquisition. These decisions will harm residents in the long term, especially when workable alternatives have been ignored without any clear reason. It is unfortunate that all authorities, including the State government, seem to have surrendered, leaving affected families without relief.
