Survey to assess impacts of NH widening.

With a view to bring out the deficiencies in rehabilitating evictees for the National Highway projects, the Highway Protection Council - an umbrella organisation spearheading the agitations against the widening of these roads to 45 metres, has kick-started a Statewide survey to assess the socio-economic and environmental impact of the proposed road widening.

The survey, which began in over a hundred villages spread across nine districts along which the NH 17 and the NH 47 pass through, is being carried out by volunteers of the organisation. The findings of the survey, which will include details on the prevailing land price, compensation received etc., will be compiled into separate reports and make available in the public domain.

According to Hashim Chendampilly, general convener of the council, a six- member committee led by former High Court judge K. Sukumaran will be verifying the survey’s findings. Other members in the committee are social scientist P. Geetha, environmental expert C.R. Neelakandan, economic expert K. Aravindakshan, writer P. Surendran and journalist N. Padmanabhan.

'Apart from verifying the survey materials, the committee has been also requested to summon some of the victims, hold a public hearing and inspect the field surveys,' he said. The study is being taken up in the absence of similar reports with the National Highway Authority of India or the State government. '{The reports will also include details on those indirectly affected by the eviction such as the wayside traders and their employees,' Mr. Hashim added.

The month-long survey is slated for completion on March 30 and the final report along with survey materials will be submitted to the committee in the following week.


THE HINDU