'Vayalkkilikal' have retreated; Keezhatoor bypass to become reality

KANNUR: The national highway bypass in Keezhattoor will soon become a reality. Minister Mohammed Riyas on Thursday shared an image of Keezhattoor bypass on social media along with the tagline Navakerala as part of the campaign of Nava Kerala Sadas.

CPM had found itself on the defensive when the 'Vayalkkili' protest started in Keezhattoor soon after the first Pinarayi government came to power. A collective formed by the name of 'Vayalkkilikal' started the strike in Keezhattoor after the authorities decided to construct a bypass by filling the paddy fields in the region. Although the strike was initially launched by the CPM local leadership, the party later withdrew from the strike. However, some members of the local leadership challenged the party and continued the struggle. They were soon expelled by the CPM. Despite the objections, the government went ahead with the project.

The Kuppam Keezhattoor Koovodu Kuttikol Bypass was proposed to avoid losses and objections that can be caused when the National Highway passes through Thaliparamba. The main positive factor regarding the bypass was the fact that there was a relatively small number of houses and buildings in the region that needed to be demolished. The government managed to cut the wings of the protest by fixing an attractive price of more than Rs 3 lakh for the swamp land in the field that will not fetch even Rs 3000 for a cent. With this, those who were with the 'Vayalkkilikal' retreated one by one. The party leaders later officially announced that the 'Vayalkkilikal' have returned to the CPM.

Keezhattoor bypass
The length of the road from Pallikkara railway flyover in Nileshwar to Kuttikol bridge in Kannur district is 40.110 km. Of this, 5,660 km is in Keezhattoor bypass reach. The Manjakkuzhikkunnu hill was levelled up for the bypass. That soil was used to fill the fields.

Central report
A team of central officials appointed to study the arguments raised by the protestors reported that there had been no cultivation in the fields for the past 20 years and only grass cultivation was taking place in the low-lying areas. The report came while the state BJP leadership was supporting the strike.