THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of hill highway, which paves the way for the development dreams of the hilly areas of Kerala, is now being stalled due to non-compliance by the forest department. For this dream project which will connect all the districts except the Alappuzha with no hills, 108.5231 hectares of land of the Forest Department is to be acquired in eight districts. For this, the Public Works Department and the Forest Department held several discussions with the authorities but to no avail.

The forest department raises technical barriers, including environmental issues and wildlife safety. The Hill Highway was announced in the 2017-18 budget and ordered to be built with the help of KIIFB. 3500 crore has been allotted for the 1251 km highway from Nandarappadav in Kasaragod district to Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district. The goal was to complete the work in 43 reaches. Construction supervision was for the Public Works Department. Construction began in 2018 on some reaches. Most of the works have received technical approval and 21 reaches have received financial approval.

Finished parts

Kasaragod District - 23 km from Nandarappadav to Chewar (Rs 54.760 crore)

Kannur District- 59.415 km from Cherupuzha-Payyavur-Ulikkal-Vallithode (Rs 237.20 crore)

Kollam District - 48 km from Punalur to Madathara Kolayil (201.670 crore).

Districts requiring forest land

Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam (Muvattupuzha and Ernakulam divisions), Idukki and Kottayam.

Structure

Total distance..1251 km

Expenditure ... Rs 3500 crore