As the Kerala High Court prepares to hear a crucial case regarding the construction ban on the 14.5-kilometer Neriamangalam-Valara stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway in Idukki, local farmers and merchant communities are voicing strong criticism. They accuse the State government of failing to present a comprehensive affidavit to the court on this critical issue.
In response, the National Highway Protection Council (NHPC) has announced a significant road blockade at Adimaly, scheduled for Monday, October 6th. Their primary demand is for the government to submit the necessary affidavit before the court hearing on October 7th.
Rasak Chooravelil, the general convenor of NHPC, warned that if the government does not comply by October 6th, the council will escalate their protests with a hartal (strike) across Devikulam taluk on October 8th. He further stated that they intend to confront Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine and Devikulam MLA A. Raja, holding them accountable for their perceived inaction on the road widening project.
The controversy stems from a Kerala High Court order issued in July, which halted road-widening and tree-felling activities along the Neriamangalam-Valara-Adimaly section. This order followed a petition filed by Idukki-based environmentalist M.N. Jayachandran.
Chooravelil emphasized the urgent need for work to resume, highlighting the “hours-long traffic blocks” experienced on the route during recent Pooja holidays due to the stalled widening project.
Adding to the pressure, Youth Congress members held a night march to Devikulam MLA A. Raja’s office in Adimaly on Saturday, October 4th, with District Congress Committee (DCC) president C.P. Mathew inaugurating the demonstration.
The Youth Congress Idukki District Committee has also planned its own protest march to Minister Augustine’s office at Cheruthoni in Idukki on Monday, October 6th. They are demanding the submission of a revised affidavit to the High Court concerning the Neriamangalam-Valara stretch. According to Congress leadership, an earlier government affidavit incorrectly classified the 14.5-kilometer segment as a reserve forest area, which significantly hampered the highway widening efforts.