THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Landowners are worried about the inclusion of converted lands, including farmland, which has been bought at a huge cost after overcoming crises and legal aspects, in the development protection zone of the new master plan of the municipality.

At present, only the lands in Special Development Zones are being acquired for development projects. The land owner cannot use the land for anything if it is published with the survey number in the new master plan. This is what led to the complaint. The case is similar with lands in protected area as well.

Protected areas can only include small parks and forests that do not harm the environment. This is a setback for many people who have changed the land type for building houses and new ventures. About 405 acres of land in 71 wards have been recorded for acquisition for development projects. The land has been acquired as Special Development Zone A- 105 acres, Zone B- 22.5 acres and Zone C- 274 acres.

Even though land was acquired 30 years ago for projects including the development of the medical college, the municipality has not implemented the projects there. Protests are rising against the acquisition of land, procedures being frozen and land being left idle with no benefit to the landowners and other projects. The issue will come up again in today's hearing on the complaint against the master plan.

New requirement

A requirement to publish information about the proposed development project within two years after the acquisition of private land has been included. The authorities cannot hold the private land recorded for master plan development for life. If there is no development in more than two years, the land should be returned to the owner. The owner can sell the land. Surplus land acquired for development should be acquired or returned by the government. It is also suggested that the land should not be allowed to lie idle.

Complaints have been received. The special committee formed for this purpose will discuss and take further action.

-CS Sujadevi,
Town Planning Chairperson Municipality