T’puram: The Union govt denied due representation of Kerala at the inauguration of the NH stretches done by PM Narendra Modi by not inviting PWD minister Mohamed Riyas to the function in Ernakulam as politics took centre stage, said CPM state secretary M V Govindan. Centre’s attitude on NH inauguration underscored its fascist approach, he said.“For Kerala, the inauguration of NH (stretches) is a moment of pride. Such an event should be conceived above political considerations,” Govindan said. The National Highways Authority of India had abandoned NH 66 development after land acquisition hit a roadblock. The work on NH 66 development started only after the LDF govt came to power and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the initiative. All the related work and follow-up work were coordinated by Riyas,” Govindan said.“Riyas is an MLA from a district through which one of the completed reaches of NH 66 passes. It is the PWD that co-ordinates land acquisition for NH work. It is a project in which the state govt has a financial stake. No other state govt has such financial participation in NH development,” Govindan said.Kerala govt spent Rs 5,580 crore for NH development works. The fund was given through KIIFB. Centre later deducted the same from the state’s borrowing limit. “The state govt’s total financial obligation in connection with the NH work was Rs 11,160 crore. Centre would recoup the money as toll,” Govindan said. He added that Congress and BJP were against land acquisition for NH work and they put up joint protests in Kannur district. Govindan said the LDF would organise celebrations along the two NH reaches inaugurated by Modi.
