Thiruvananthapuram: The long-delayed widening of the 1.5km Kodinada-Balaramapuram-Vazhimukku stretch under the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road development project is facing fresh uncertainty, with compensation proceedings for land acquisition hitting new hurdles.Officials involved in the acquisition process have brought the issue to the attention of the district collector and senior revenue department officials after difficulties arose in completing compensation proceedings involving some landowners. A decision is expected soon on how to resolve the issue and prevent another prolonged delay to the road project.According to revenue officials, several landowners had earlier agreed to surrender their properties through the negotiated purchase mechanism and accepted the compensation offered by the govt. However, some of them are now being advised to seek enhanced compensation through legal proceedings, claiming they may be entitled to higher amounts.Officials said this has created uncertainty among landowners who had initially agreed to the negotiated settlement. The administration is examining whether the claims can be resolved without further delaying the project.The stretch between Kodinada and Vazhimukku is being widened as part of the larger Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road development project. It is planned as a four-lane road, with the revised road width proposed at 30.2 metres. The Kerala Road Fund Board is the implementing agency.The project has faced repeated delays over land acquisition and compensation. In 2024, the land acquisition cost was estimated at around Rs 97 crore. Subsequent revisions substantially increased the compensation requirement. In 2025, the government approved an additional Rs 102.4 crore, taking the overall compensation package for the stretch to around Rs 200 crore, including compensation for land and structures.The govt had also released compensation for 52 landowners in Dec 2025, with Rs 102.4 crore handed over for disbursement after prolonged procedural delays. However, the disbursement process has come to a halt this year, further delaying the project.The district administration had earlier hoped to complete the acquisition and begin construction after resolving the compensation issues. The project is considered important for easing congestion along the southern corridor and improving connectivity towards Kaliyikkavila and Tamil Nadu.A senior district administration official said the latest concerns had been brought to the collector’s attention and that steps would be taken shortly to resolve the issue. The administration is also examining the concerns raised by landowners before taking a final decision.
