‘Third-party impact assessment needed for NH projects'
T.V. Sajeev, a scientist associated with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), who inaugurated the convention, pointed out that an impact assessment study is often carried out by agencies appointed by the contractors in their favour, thereby defeating the purpose of such studies.
The convention, held at the Sports Council Hall in Kozhikode on Saturday (July 5), brought together several experts in the fields of environment, construction, and geology to brainstorm solutions to the problems at hand.
'The topography of Kerala cannot support the kind of construction typically carried out in other States, where there is enough vacant space. This State is narrow, densely populated, and extremely sensitive,' said Mr. Sajeev.
He alleged that land acquisition and the destruction of large trees had contributed to the recurring outbreaks of Nipah infection in the State. 'Around 75,000 large trees were cut down for the widening of National Highway 66. The bats that lived on these trees had to migrate to the nearest available habitat, often trees in house compounds. The overpopulation of bats in a single tree weakens some of them, making it easier for parasites in them to perform a 'species jump,'' Mr. Sajeev said.
He also pointed out that the huge wall constructed in the North-South direction in the form of the National Highway, prevented the free flow of rainwater from the mountains to the sea, though the distance is very short. 'We faced a flood in 2018 before the NH widening. The situation would be worse if we had rain of that intensity once again', he added.
Geologist Radhakrishnan Kinattinkara highlighted the characteristics of laterite soil, which absorbs rainwater like a sponge. However, only the upper layer is structurally strong, while the underlying layer is mushy. 'When laterite hills are cut perpendicularly, the mushy layer is exposed. It oozes water and cannot hold on its own, ultimately leading to collapse,' he said.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said that the rock formation in Kerala is over 35 million years old and should be treated as geological monuments worthy of preservation. He added that the damage caused by the highway project could have been minimised if it had been constructed on viaducts rather than on embankments.
Noted environmentalists and activists, including Sreedhar Radhakrishnan, Joseph C. Mathew, Hashim Chendambilli, N. Subramanian, S. Rajeevan, and N.V. Balakrishnan, participated in the discussions. The convention demanded that the State government appoint an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the condition of the National Highway.
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