A protest march in Kayamkulam
The historic town of Kayamkulam in Kerala’s Alappuzha district has become a focal point of widespread protests as local residents challenge the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) plans to widen the NH-66. The plan, which divides the city into two, has sparked fears of disruption to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of this mercantile hub. The town, one of Kerala’s oldest, depends on its ancient market for commerce and basic amenities, and locals argue that the highway expansion threatens to sever the ties that hold the community together.
“The current plan by the NHAI is inhumane, as it does not take the local geography into consideration when designing the expansion. If thousands of families live together as one community, how can they be divided into two areas, cutting one group off from the basic facilities they have relied on for decades in the name of development?,” asks Anas, a local businessman who stays in the western part of the NH-66 and has a business shop on the eastern side of the road.
The Heart of the Protest: NH-66 Expansion
Kayamkulam’s strategic location and historical significance have always been central to its identity. However, the NH-66 widening project is perceived by residents as a divisive plan that threatens to disrupt not only the town’s infrastructure but also its close-knit social relationships. The proposed expansion involves constructing a road that would act as a physical barrier between the eastern and western parts of the city. This division has alarmed the local population, who argue that such a development would harm the town’s economy and educational opportunities.
Residents are particularly concerned about the underpass proposed at ONK junction, the town’s busiest and most vital crossing point. This junction serves as a crucial link for thousands of people from the western part of Kayamkulam, who rely on it to access schools, businesses, and essential services located on the eastern side. Critics of the plan, including activists and town officials, argue that an underpass would be insufficient to manage the heavy traffic that flows through the junction and that the population’s needs have been overlooked.
Human Impact: The Social and Educational Divide
One of the key concerns voiced by protesters is the potential impact on education. The western side of Kayamkulam is home to many families whose children depend on the schools and colleges located in and around the town. With a large number of first-generation graduates emerging from this area, locals fear that the highway expansion could disrupt access to educational institutions, hindering upward social mobility. MSM College, more than 10 high schools and many other educational institutions are on the eastern side of the road.
A protest meeting in Kayamkulam against the proposed expansion plan of NH-66
The road would essentially create a divide, making it harder for students to travel to school and for families to maintain their livelihoods.
Kayamkulam’s history predates the national highway system, and for generations, the town has thrived on relationships that span both sides of the current road. The introduction of a “wall-like” highway, as some have described it, threatens to break these social bonds. The NH-66 expansion would not only physically split the city but also disconnect families, businesses, and communities that have coexisted for centuries.
Legal Challenges and Political Interventions
The protest movement gained momentum when Kayamkulam People’s Forum filed two petitions with the Kerala High Court, seeking a pillered-elevated flyover at the busy ONK junction. In January 2024, Justice Devan Ramachandran directed the NHAI’s project officer to consider alternative proposals that would alleviate the concerns raised by the petitioners. The court emphasised that such large-scale projects must be planned with an eye toward future development and public interest, rather than becoming a source of inconvenience.
Advocates Sebastian Paul and PA Mohammed Shah, representing the petitioners, argued that the lack of a proper flyover would effectively dissect the town, making daily life difficult for the residents. The High Court acknowledged the petitioners’ concerns and called on the NHAI to examine the requests “in a dispassionate manner,” stressing the importance of public interest over bureaucratic expediency.
Political support for the protests also emerged when Congress MP KC Venugopal raised the issue in the Lok Sabha. In an impassioned speech, he highlighted the suffering of Kayamkulam’s residents and called for a redesign of the project that would preserve the town’s integrity. “Kayamkulam is one of the most historic cities and it is being divided because of the national highway construction. There is no better design for the people,” he said in the parliament.
Venugopal’s intervention added political weight to the movement, prompting further discussions with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and NHAI officials.
Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal meeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the matter
Community Protests and Environmental Concerns
The Kayamkulam protests have not been confined to legal and political forums. In August 2024, for a second time, hundreds of residents formed a human chain, demonstrating their solidarity against the NHAI’s plans. The protest drew participants from across the social spectrum, including businessmen, students, and activists, all demanding a pillered-elevated flyover instead of an underpass. They argue that a pillared flyover would allow the town to retain its social cohesion while accommodating the highway’s expansion.
In July this year, noted environmental activist CR Neelakandan also addressed the protests, criticising the NHAI for its failure to account for Kerala’s unique geographic and climatic conditions. He warned that blindly following models from other states, where population density is lower, would lead to environmental disasters in Kerala. Neelakandan highlighted the need for region-specific planning that takes into account the state’s hydrology and ecosystem.
He further emphasised that while development is necessary, it should not come at the expense of local communities. The NHAI’s refusal to consider alternative designs, according to Neelakandan, reveals a lack of understanding of Kerala’s social and environmental context. He cautioned that unless the project is adapted to local needs, the consequences could be disastrous for both the environment and the people.
Long-Term Implications for Kayamkulam
As the protests continue, the people of Kayamkulam are determined to protect their town from the perceived threats posed by the highway expansion. They fear that the current NHAI plan, if implemented, will irreversibly alter the town’s landscape, making it harder for future generations to access essential services and maintain the strong community ties that have defined Kayamkulam for centuries.
The case of Kayamkulam underscores a broader challenge faced by many historic towns in India, where rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development often come into conflict with local traditions and social structures. For Kayamkulam, the stakes are high, and the protests represent a critical moment in the town’s long history. The outcome of the current legal and political battles will determine whether Kayamkulam can retain its unique character in the face of modern development pressures.
“My entire family is on the eastern side of the road. I visit them at least three times a week. If the authorities are going to put up a wall-like road in the name of expansion, do they expect me to sever my connections with my family and friends? My children attend two different schools on the other side of the road. They will spend hours in the morning and afternoon traveling to and from school. However, there is a solution to all these issues. The government or the NHAI needs to listen to the people’s demands. Until then, the protest will continue,” says Anil Kumar, a government employee who also works on the eastern side of the road.
