H. Salam, MLA, has demanded the construction of underpasses at Payalkungara and S.N. Kavala on National Highway (NH) 66 in the Ambalappuzha Assembly constituency.
Speaking at a meeting on NH development at the collectorate recently, Mr. Salam said that underpasses were essential to ensure smooth travel for the common man.
“Underpasses should be urgently constructed at Payalkulangara in Purakkad grama panchayat and S.N. Kavala near Valanjavazhi in Ambalappuzha North panchayat. An underpass at Payalkulangara will help the coastal population quickly access the NH. Likewise, another underpass at S.N. Kavala will ensure that Kuttanad residents have easy access to the NH,” Mr. Salam said.
According to residents, an underpass at S.N. Kavala is essential to facilitate local bus services and provide safe pedestrian crossings. The ongoing protest there, under the aegis of the Janakeeaya Samithi, has completed one and a half months.
Meanwhile, an indefinite relay satyagraha demanding an underpass at Payalkulangara completed 99 days on Thursday. The Janakeeya Samithi, which is spearheading the protest, said development projects should not disrupt the lives of local communities and urged the National Highways Authority of India to consider its demand for an underpass.
The meeting also decided to install pipelines at 18 locations across the national highway to facilitate smooth drinking water distribution.
District Collector Alex Varghese, Deputy Collectors C. Premji and Dileep Kumar, NHAI officials and others attended the meeting.
Published – March 06, 2025 07:02 pm IST