No progress in talks to get land for road to Kollidam bridge

In order to ensure heavy vehicle traffic across the Kollidam River adjacent to the Kallanai dam, a new bridge was constructed to a length of 1,050 metre and 12.90 metre width. While the bridge works is almost over, the connecting road from Kilikoodi in Tiruchy-Thanjavur highway via Tiruvanaikoil is yet to be completed owing to the delay in acquiring land for the widening of the road.

Though the state issued an order acquiring the land from as many as 26 farmers in 2016, the process is still pending as the land owners were not satisfied with the compensation announced.

While Highways Department officials held series of meetings with farmers for years, no decision was made on the issue as they demanded triple the amount of sanctioned compensation. They also started a series of protests over the issue.

To break the impasse, on Thursday, Tiruchy Collector S Sivarasu organsied a meeting at the Kallanai tourist bungalow along with the Highways Assistant Divisional Engineer Thangadurai, Srirangam Tahsildhar R Sridhar and other officials.

Collector Sivarasu assured farmers of compensation between 30 and 45 days and asked them to allow road laying works. However, the farmers told the Collector that they have been fighting for a decent compensation for the past three years. They also demanded fair compensation with interest for three years.

Farmers told that they were ready to face any consequences until they receive the amount. No consensus was arrived at the meeting.