SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Project and Public purpose In order to reduce the traffic congestion in Ottapalam Town, Government of Kerala intends to construct Ottapalam Bypass Road in Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad district. The project aims to reduce the time delay in transpsrtation through the area and to reduce the traffic related difficulties. For the proposed project a total area of 3.25 hectares of land from Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad District needs to be acquired. The starting point of the Bypass Road is approximately 2 kilometers away from Ottapalam Town on the Palakkad-Ponnani road and ends on 0.5 kilometers next to Ottapalam Town on the same road. As per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 Section 2-(1)-(b)-(vi), the project can be considered as a public purpose. 1.2 Location The proposed project location is locted at Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad district. District: Palakkad Taluk: Ottapalam Municipality: Ottapalam Village: Ottapalam 1.3. Size and attributes of land acquisition The project aims at reducing the traffic congestion in Ottapalam Town of Palakkad District. Land area of 3.25 hectares from Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad District needs to be acquired for the proposed project. The proposed land is spread over 25 survey numbers and their sub-divisions. The proposed land is used for commercial and residential purposes. 1.4 Alternatives considered The proposed project is intended to construct Ottapalam Bypass Road. The implementation of the project will improve the transportation facility of the area Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 1 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road The project aims at improving the transportation facilities in Ottapalam Town. As per Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the project, no alternative land has been considered for the proposed project. During public hearing and through written concerns, the affected people suggested alternatives for the proposed bypass road as listed below: i. Route starting from Mayannoor road passing through Ottapalam Municipal Marketing Complex, parallel to railway line and reaching the State Highway near Kanniyampuram may be considerd for the construction of bypass road. ii. Construction of a fly-over. iii. Consider Mangalam Junction to Vaniyamkulam road for the construction of bypass road. 1.5 Social impacts 120 families are directly affected by the project as the land owned by these families will be acquired. The SIA unit members have contacted around 120 families and noted their concerns regarding the implementation of the project. Rehabiltation of more than 10 families is needed. The project affected people stated that their livelihood will also get affected. They also stated that the land owned by them is inherited and they do not posses any other land and are unable to give land to the next generation. Emotional attachment towards the land inherited to them, loss of houses, loss in livelihood, etc. can be considered as major social impact. The owner of Lekshmi Theatre raised concerns that the land acquisition will affect the parking area of the theatre which can cause severe loss in business. People residing in the area on rent for more than three years, having livelihood in the area either by working in shops of the area or having shops in the area are also affected by the project. Public services are easily available for the people residing in the area. So they demand rehabilitation within the municipal area with access to better service facilities. The people residing in the area said that the area is used for residential purpose and consider any alternative land to implement the project. Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 2 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road 1.6 Mitigation measures To mitigate the social impact of the proposed land acquisition, R&R package should be provided to the families as per the Policies issued by Revenue(B) Department, Government of Kerala vide G.O.(MS)No.485/2015/RD dated 23/09/2015 and G.O.(Ms)No.448/2017/RD dated 29/12/2017 for the rehabilitation and resettlement package for land acquisition in the state in lieu of RFCT in LAR&R Act 2013. Age of significant number of people affected by the project are above 60 years. Measures should be taken to provide proper care and support to them during different stages of the acquisition process. The authorities should take necessary actions to ensure that the natural drainage system present in the vicinity of the project area (if any) will not be affected during and after each stage of the implementation of the project. Reconstruction of livelihood of people is an important factor in this project. It is a very difficult task to the people to recreate their commercial enterprises in a new area. So, the assistance should be provided to them in order to successfully recreate their livelihood. The families who are losing the courtyard of their house demanded the reconstruction of proper boundary wall. Safety of the people during the construction phase of the project and healthy disposal of wastages which may arise out of construction should be ensured. Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 3 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road CHAPTER 2 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Background of the Project including Developer’s Background and Governance/Management structure The proposed project intends to construct a Bypass road for Palakkad – Ponnani road at Ottapalam in Palakkad District. The Bypass road starts from Lakshmi theatre junction and ends at the junction in Palakkad‐Ponnani road at East Ottapalam. The project requires a total area of 3.25 hectares of land spread over Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad District. The Government of Kerala vide GO. (Rt) No. 1324/2016/PWD dt. 27.09.2016 has appointed Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala limited (RBDCK) as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of Ottapalam Bypass in Palakkad district using funds from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The project is included in the reply to the Budget speech 2016‐2017 (Sl. no 15 of Para no.135). The Centre for Management was entrusted by the Government of Kerala vide GO (P)No.85/2019/RD dated 30/11/2019 (Kerala Gazette No. 2959– Vol. 8 dated 03/12/2019) to conduct the Social Impact Assessment. 2.2 Rationale for Project, including how the project fits the public purpose criteria listed in the Act. The Palakkad-Ponnani road connects Palakkkad to western sides of Thrissur and Malappuram districts. Vehicles coming through the intersection road from Mayannur bridge create traffic congestion on the Palakkad-Ponnani road. The proposed Bypass Road connects Palakkad-Ponnani Road. Approximately 1.814km long road will be constructed. After the implementation of the project the traffic congestion in Ottapalam Town can be reduced. As per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 Section 2-(1)-(b)-(vi), the project can be considered as a public purpose. Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 4 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road 2.3 Details of Project size, location, capacity outputs, production targets, costs and risks For the implementation of the project 3.25 hectares of land spread over Ottapalam Village of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad District needs to be acquired for the proposed project. The road to be constructed will be an undivided two lane carriage way of width 7.00m width, paved shoulder of 1.50m, utility corridor 1.00m and drain cum footpath of 1.50m on either sides. Drain is covered with RCC slab, which will serve as raised foot path of 1.5m. Cost of the project: Administrative sanction is issued to allow ₹ 79.42 crores for the implementation of the project. Aim: • Improve transportation facilities. • Reduce transit time and fuel consumption. • Achieve social and economic development. Fig. 2.1: Photographs of Project Area Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 5 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road 2.4 Examination of alternatives The proposed project is intended to construct Ottapalam Bypass Road. The implementation of the project will improve the transportation facility of the area The project aims at improving the transportation facilities in Ottapalam Town. As per Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the project, no alternative land has been considered for the proposed project. During public hearing and through written concerns, the affected people suggested alternatives for the proposed bypass road as listed below: iv. Route starting from Mayannoor road passing through Ottapalam Municipal Marketing Complex, parallel to railway line and reaching the State Highway near Kanniyampuram may be considerd for the construction of bypass road. v. Construction of a fly-over. vi. Consider Mangalam Junction to Vaniyamkulam road for the construction of bypass road. Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram 6 SIA of Land Acquisition for the Construction of Ottapalam Bypass Road 2.5 Phases of the Project Construction The project completion is expected to complete in single phase. 2.6 Core design Features, size and Type of Facilities The road to be constructed will be an undivided two lane carriage way of width 7.00m width, paved shoulder of 1.50m, utility corridor 1.00m and drain cum footpath of 1.50m on either sides. Drain is covered with RCC slab, which will serve as raised foot path of 1.5m. 2.7 Need for Ancillary Infrastructural Facilities The construction of Bypass Road in Ottapalam Town aims to improve the working of existing road transport infrastructure and create efficient transport systems.