Youth Congress workers in Idukki recently marched to the office of Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine in Cheruthoni, demanding swift government action to resume road works on the critical Neryamangalam-Valara section of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway.
The protest, inaugurated by former Idukki District Congress Committee president Roy K. Paulose, was organized by the Adimaly mandalam committee of the Youth Congress. Their primary goal was to compel immediate government intervention to restart construction along the 14-kilometer stretch, a demonstration that was ultimately blocked by police near the Minister’s office.
Youth Congress leaders criticized Minister Augustine, stating that despite his earlier acknowledgment of construction being halted due to an affidavit from the Forest Department, and his promise to submit a new government affidavit soon, there has been no visible progress or response from his office.
The current suspension stems from a Kerala High Court order issued in July, which restricted road-widening and tree-felling activities along the Neriamangalam-Valara-Adimaly section. This order followed a petition filed by M.N. Jayachandran, an environmentalist based in Idukki.
Dias Pullan, convener of the Idukki Land Freedom Movement, highlighted the urgency of the situation. He noted that the court has scheduled the case for hearing on October 7. Pullan emphasized that the government must submit an affidavit before this date, clearly stating that the land in question is not forest land. He added that a resurvey of Mannamkanam village, through which the road passes, has already confirmed its classification as revenue land, and this crucial information should be presented to the court to facilitate the resumption of essential road construction.