Kerala Coastal Highway Sparks Controversy Amid Lack of Environmental Study

The Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala has raised significant concerns about the Left government's plan to build a coastal highway without conducting environmental and social impact studies. They propose enhancing existing coastal roads instead, arguing the current plan will displace fisherfolk with insufficient compensation and pose environmental threats.

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Friday criticized the Left government's initiative to construct a coastal highway in Kerala without proper environmental and social impact assessments or a detailed project report.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan challenged the necessity of a new coastal highway when National Highway 66, currently under expansion, already runs close to the coast in many areas.

In a press conference, Satheesan urged the state government to reconsider the project, question its viability, and instead focus on sustainable development for fisherfolk communities. The UDF proposes upgrading existing coastal roads to national highway standards and improving waterways to reduce transportation costs and boost tourism.

Furthermore, Satheesan pointed out significant flaws in the coastal highway proposal, including severe environmental and social impacts due to the coastal region's dense population and erosion risks. The Opposition also called the land acquisition process illegal and argued that the compensation offered to displaced fishermen was insufficient compared to the Right to Fair Compensation Act of 2013.

(With inputs from agencies.)