3 months ago
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A parallel inauguration of the Ramanattukara-Vengalam scope of the nationalist road 66 was held successful Kozhikode, Kerala, connected Wednesday (March 11, 2026) by leaders of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in protestation against the alleged exclusion of State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas from the authoritative inauguration ceremonial opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi successful Kochi.
The protestation event, launched with a roadshow adjacent Ramanattukara, was led by Mr. Riyas and section enactment workers who shouted slogans against the Union authorities flaying the “exclusion” of the Minister from the authoritative function. LDF leaders and elected section assemblage representatives were among the protesters who besides accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of readying the “deliberate exclusion”.
“The exclusion is simply a humiliation to the State. This (kind of exclusion) volition ne'er enactment a antiauthoritarian system. People of our State are precise overmuch alert of our contributions to the task realisation“, said Mr. Riyas.
He added that isolated from “mere money approvals”, determination were a batch of quality involution which supported the speedy execution of the infrastructure project.
‘Departure from protocol’
LDF leaders who took portion successful the roadshow criticised the Union government, calling the exclusion “a departure from established protocol” successful infrastructure projects implemented with State cooperation. They pointed retired that the task would not person go a world if the State authorities had not cooperated with the onshore acquisition procedures and related developmental needs.
The protesters argued that excluding the State’s typical from the ceremonial “undermined the cooperative national spirit” and disregarded the contributions of the Kerala government. They besides claimed that the rehabilitation of those who had mislaid their onshore for the road improvement would not person been completed successfully without the practice of the State government.
Protocol followed: BJP
Meanwhile, BJP leaders clarified that each authoritative protocols were followed arsenic specified successful transportation with the State-level inaugural event. They said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was invited to the lawsuit representing the State.
“The invitation was sent respective days successful beforehand and determination were nary protests astatine the clip of accepting the invitation,” they claimed.
The 28-km Ramanattukara-Vengalam scope is portion of the ongoing widening of NH-66 successful Kerala, 1 of the State’s largest roadworthy infrastructure initiatives. The corridor forms a cardinal conception connecting Kozhikode metropolis with the bluish portion of the State and the neighbouring territory of Kannur. The upgrade aims to amended postulation flow, roadworthy information and trim question clip on the engaged coastal highway.
