IRF | International Road Federation

KOCHI: The discussion organised by the Kerala Development Forum, 'Deliberation on the critical need for the comprehensive development of Kerala's National Highways', in Kochi on Wednesday, July 21, witnessed stormy moments as potential evictees challenged the opinions put forward by various speakers.

The speakers for the occasion were International Road Federation (IRF) chairman KK Kapila, KJ Alphonse Kannanthanam MLA, columnist KM Roy, economist Dr VK Vijayakumar and Cochin Stock Exchange shareholder director PC Syriac.

All speakers unanimously agreed that the state need wider highways and limiting the width to 30 metres would be disastrous especially in view of new projects at Vallarpadam and Vizhinjam coming up.

KK Kapila said the roads which are wide enough to allow smooth flow of vehicles will reduce road accidents. It is imperative to segregate slow and fast-moving traffic to reduce accidents. He also stressed the importance of service roads.

In order to facilitate smooth eviction, the government can actually acquire 90 metres and rehabilitate the evicted people in the same area and then compensate for whatever extra loss, so that the eviction process could take place smoothly.

Alphonse Kannanthanam MLA was of the view that the current discussion is itself "idiotic" as a proper highway needs at least 53 metres. Only this will allow for at least a three-lane road, which is imperative to allow a track for buses, a track for slow-moving large trucks and a fast track for cars. Then there was the absolute need for service roads and other national highway incorporated facilities like 4.5 metre median to allow smooth U-turns and also future needs like great separators (flyovers), 3metre shoulders on both sides to allow vehicles to pull in and park in case of any need, 1.5metre utility corners on both sides and 1.5metre footpath on both sides. Reducing the width of NH would be catastrophic once the Vallapardam Terminal and Vizhinjam Terminal projects become operational, Kannanthanam said.

Dr VK Vijayakumar explained the importance of improved transportation facilities to fuel higher economic growth.