The Kothamangalam bypass in Ernakulam district has been blocked by landowners amid a continuing dispute over land acquisition, forcing vehicles approaching the construction stretch near the KSRTC bus stand to turn back and use alternative roads.
The affected section runs from near the Kothamangalam KSRTC stand towards Kozhippilly. According to Malayala Manorama, Varghese and Lissy, a couple from Ilamthuruth, placed stones across the road and installed a board after deciding to stop traffic through the property under dispute.
The road had been temporarily opened to vehicles in connection with a local festival. The landowners had allowed the movement of traffic after requests from the police and other authorities, reportedly on the assurance that construction work would not continue. They took the decision to close the road again after traffic continued for two weeks after the festival, the report said.
The couple has alleged that their property is being acquired even though it does not fall within the approved alignment of the bypass. They also said they had not received any document concerning the proposed acquisition. According to their claim, a resurvey found no reduction in the extent of land recorded in their title deed.
The landowners have further alleged that a portion of their compound wall and house was demolished as part of an unauthorised encroachment. They are seeking a survey and clear demarcation of the property boundaries, and have asked authorities to comply with a court direction related to the survey. The couple has also alleged that vested interests are behind attempts to acquire their land.
The dispute has reportedly involved litigation and a police case. The report also pointed to confusion and ambiguity in land records in the area, while allegations have been raised against revenue officials over lapses in handling the matter. These claims have been attributed to the landowners and were not independently detailed in the supplied report.
The closure has disrupted traffic because some motorists continue to reach the blocked stretch without knowing that access has been stopped. Vehicles are being diverted through other roads, creating uncertainty for people using the newly constructed bypass section.
The land dispute has also put the completion of the bypass in uncertainty. The landowners have said they will continue their protest until they receive justice. The report indicated that, given the continuing dispute, court intervention may be necessary before the issue can be resolved and construction or regular traffic movement can proceed. No final administrative resolution or fresh implementation timeline was provided in the report.
