THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the obstacle of mining in Tamil Nadu, the availability of materials including gravel and soil has decreased, putting the construction of national highways in Kerala in crisis.

Projects under construction, including NH 66, which is being developed as a six-lane road from Kasaragod Talapady to Thiruvananthapuram Karode, which is crucial for development, are dragging on. The main obstacle is the opposition of Tamil Nadu district administrations and political leaders to the mining of soil and stone for construction purposes in Kerala.

Only the Karode reach was completed. All the rest are under construction. Construction, which has progressed rapidly, has stalled in many places and slowed in others. After the issue was brought to the attention of the National Highways Authority, the government eased the procedures of soil acquisition in Kerala. The scarcity of gravel has not been resolved.

The state has waived the condition that the contracting firm should register the agreement with the land owner to obtain the mining permit. The Director of Mining and Geology Department had given a favorable report for this. The government has also directed the geologists of the district to take a timely decision on the mining permit applications received by the department. Construction progress will depend on how quickly this happens. The state government should negotiate with Tamil Nadu and deliver gravel.

The National Highways Authority had informed that if necessary, the royalty and fees fixed by the government on barren lands and quarries in the state can be paid in addition to the specified amount and if the government relaxes the strict conditions, it will not oppose the cancellation of the mining permit. They also assured that if the road leading to the mining area is damaged by the vehicles carrying construction materials, it will be rebuilt. If the government steps up quickly, the construction of the national highway can be done as soon as possible in the next six months without rain.