T’puram: The expert appraisal committee (EAC) under the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change is expected to convene within the next 15 days to take a final call on granting environmental clearance (EC) for the proposed Vizhinjam–Navaikulam outer ring road (ORR).According to senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, the clarification focused on the revised highway design, which significantly reduces hill cutting by incorporating tunnels and viaducts along the alignment. NHAI informed the ministry that the proposed tunnels would pass through only limited portions of isolated hillocks and would not involve extensive excavation of major hill formations.“The revised design has been prepared after detailed technical studies. The tunnels are planned only through portions of small hillocks and are intended to minimise environmental impact while enhancing safety. We have furnished all the required technical clarifications sought by EAC, and we are hopeful of receiving environmental clearance,” a senior NHAI official said.The clarification appears to have addressed concerns that emerged following a landslide associated with a tunnel project in Wayanad, which had prompted the EAC to initially consider a site inspection before taking a decision. However, sources said the ministry is now satisfied with the explanations submitted by NHAI.The optimism comes two days after Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that the revised detailed project report (DPR) had been prepared by minimising hill cutting through provisions for tunnels and viaducts. He also stated that the EAC had deferred the proposal during its July meeting after seeking additional information from the project authorities.Meanwhile, the financial bid for the project is likely to be opened within the next 10 days.The project also remains under the scrutiny of Kerala High Court, which is hearing petitions filed by landowners affected by the acquisition process. Thousands of families who surrendered land have been awaiting compensation for several years, with disbursement linked to final project approval. The Union govt has clarified that compensation under National Highways Act and Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, can be paid only after the project receives approval from the competent authority.S. Chandramohan Nair, convenor of the ORR action council, said the coming weeks would be decisive for affected landowners.
