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The beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing scheme in Kerala are facing challenges as survey stones for the Parvathy Puthanar canal widening project encroach on their assigned plots. The affected beneficiaries, unable to construct homes, have requested the civic body to exempt them from paying interest if they withdraw from the scheme. Two requests have been submitted from Puthenpally ward, where beneficiaries received Rs 40,000 as the first allotment of financial assistance under the PMAY scheme.
The widening of the Parvathy Puthanar canal is part of a larger development plan to improve inland navigation and sewage management in the region. The project aims to widen the canal to 25 meters, with 5-meter spaces on both sides for bank roads and sewer lines. The government had initially sanctioned Rs 66.39 crore for the acquisition of 772.93 ares of land in Kadakampally, Pettah, Muttathara, and Thiruvallam villages for the project in 2018.
However, the inland navigation department has started demarcating land for the Parvathy Puthanar widening project, while the government considers offering compensation packages to affected families instead of relocating them to housing schemes. Over 1,300 buildings from Kovalam to Varkala are being evaluated for the development of the waterway. The proposed compensation package includes Rs 11 lakh per family and an amount based on the value of the houses.
The decision to opt for compensation packages instead of housing schemes was made considering the time required for the completion of housing projects. Authorities have begun compiling a beneficiary list eligible for the compensation package from Kovalam to Varkala. However, it remains unclear whether PMAY beneficiaries will be eligible for compensation due to concerns about duplicating benefits.
S Salim, chairman of the welfare standing committee, has assured that those who withdraw from the housing scheme will be adequately compensated under the Parvathy Puthanar rehab package. This statement provides some relief to the affected families as they navigate the challenges arising from the canal widening project.
The cost of the Parvathy Puthanar widening project has increased by 87% due to revisions in the original land requirement in four revenue villages. The actual land requirement has grown from 772.93 acres to 985.55 acres, raising the estimated cost to Rs 124.74 crore. This amount is based on fair value and accounts for additional land needed for approach roads to three bridges planned along the project stretch. The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) had allotted Rs 87.18 crore in March 2022 based on the earlier proposal.
In conclusion, the Parvathy Puthanar canal widening project has created complications for PMAY housing scheme beneficiaries in Kerala. The government is considering compensation packages for the affected families, but the eligibility of PMAY beneficiaries remains uncertain. As costs continue to rise, officials must balance development objectives with the needs of the impacted families. The situation calls for a well-thought-out plan to address the concerns of the beneficiaries while ensuring the progress and completion of the crucial infrastructure project.
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