Supreme Court highway construction limits to affect Kerala coastal regions

An interim order from the Supreme Court revising construction distance limits along national highways is expected to significantly impact coastal regions in Kerala. The ruling affects nine districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of residents.

Under the revised limits, residential construction is prohibited within 40 metres of the highway centre line, while commercial establishments are restricted within 75 metres. Existing structures within these zones will undergo review, and commercial entities will require approval from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to renew licenses. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been directed to issue a unified notification regarding these limits.

In Kerala, the reconstruction of National Highway 66 into a six-lane highway has already involved the acquisition of 1,079.66 hectares and the demolition of 27,035 structures. If the new court order is implemented, an additional 35 metres of land on both sides of the current 45-metre wide highway may need to be kept clear, potentially affecting approximately 2,500 hectares of land, including numerous homes and shops.