No public works construction in Kerala until at least 80 per cent of the land is acquired, Public Works Minister directs

19 October 2026

Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer said the State needs a development policy based on private and co-operative partnership rather than dependence on government funds alone.
He said no construction work will begin unless at least 80 per cent of the land has been acquired, because starting bridges without land for approach roads creates liabilities of crores of rupees and delays of years.
The Government is considering a special revenue wing under the Public Works Department to speed up land acquisition.
He said the Government aims to implement large roads and bypasses on a joint venture model that brings in investors from within the State and from the expatriate sector.
He was speaking at the State Planning Board's district-level idea-formulation meeting in Malappuram, and said meetings in all 14 districts would be completed by mid-December before the Planning Board finalises the new development document.