NHAI to acquire mudslide-prone land in Kunnyoramala

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to acquire land, including houses, in the Kunnyoramala region near Koyilandy, Kozhikode, where the terrain has become highly vulnerable to mudslides.

The move follows a directive from the Chief Minister’s office, based on a petition submitted by Sumathi K.M., Chairperson of the Kunnyoramala Samyuktha Samara Samithi, and supported by Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil. For residents who have been protesting for years over the safety of their homes and land, the decision comes as a major relief. Their properties had been left unstable after deep excavations for the development of National Highway 66.

Kunnyoramala lies on the Vengalam–Azhiyur stretch of NH-66, being developed by M/s Azhiyur-Vengalam Road Pvt Ltd. The stretch falls between Chemancheri and Nandi Bazaar, where the highway bypasses the existing road and Koyilandy town. To maintain the road level in this hilly terrain, the developers had to alternate between deep excavations and embankments.

However, soon after the excavations began, complaints emerged as land at several points started caving in, leaving houses and plots on both sides of the road at risk. Fearing collapse, several families abandoned their homes. The residents then came together under the Kunnyoramala Samyuktha Samara Samithi, demanding that NHAI acquire their land as it was no longer safe to live in.

Following persistent protests, Ms. Sumathi and Mr. Shafi Parambil received a letter from NHAI Project Director Prashant Dubey, confirming that land on both sides of the highway near Kunnyoramala would be acquired to facilitate slope protection works. Additional land will only be taken over based on revised plans and site requirements, the letter noted.

Initially, NHAI had ruled out acquiring more land. However, after protests intensified, the project director and senior officials inspected the site and assessed the situation. The matter was also escalated by the MP to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, prompting the change in stance.