Parvathy Puthanar canal project faces deadlock over payout row

Time of India

a day ago

Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt is facing a stalemate over compensation for 185 families who must be evicted to widen the Parvathy Puthanar canal along the Kovalam–Akkulam stretch of the Kovalam–Bekal waterway project.
Although these families live on puramboke (govt-owned) land, they are demanding Rs 20 lakh per household—nearly double the Rs 11 lakh currently offered.
This deadlock has delayed the land acquisition process in the stretch, which affects a total of 474 households. So far, 289 families have accepted the Rs 11 lakh package and are ready to relocate. However, the remaining 185 families—located within the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation limits—argue that the offered amount does not reflect higher urban land values.
Officials from the Inland Navigation Department and Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the special-purpose vehicle overseeing the project, contend that the Rs 11 lakh base compensation, combined with additional payment for structures, brings the total package to around Rs 15 lakh per household—an amount they deem fair.
"We have offered Rs 11 lakh for landless families living on govt land, along with compensation for their buildings.
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This makes the total package worth around Rs 15 lakh," said Arun K Jacob, director of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation. "Still, 185 families are demanding Rs 20 lakh. We are planning a meeting with ward councillors and residents to find a solution," he added.
While acquisition between Kovalam and Akkulam remains stalled, land acquisition from Akkulam to Varkala is nearly complete. "Most families in that stretch have accepted the offer," Jacob noted.
Canal widening work has begun, with a 25-metre-wide waterway and five-metre service roads being constructed on both sides to facilitate navigation and maintenance.
The project, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), covers the rejuvenation of 16.4 km of the Parvathy Puthanar canal from Kovalam to Akkulam and its extension up to Varkala. The total project cost is Rs 274 crore. KIIFB has already funded substantial land acquisition and canal development in this region.
The state cabinet had earlier approved a component for valuing structures on govt land, ensuring that compensation reflects not just land value but also the cost of buildings. All payments are being made through direct bank transfers from the state treasury.
Officials confirmed that a stakeholder meeting involving the 185 holdout families and local representatives is being organized. Authorities hope consensus can be reached around the Rs 15 lakh package to unlock the stalled portion of the project. Meanwhile, the commissioning of the section between Akkulam and Varkala is expected by Sept or Oct this year.