Thiruvananthapuram: As part of the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila Road widening project, the revenue department has taken steps to rehabilitate around 22 families from puramboke land near Pravachambalam. The contractor for the second phase of the project is yet to be selected.The revenue department has allotted 3 cents each to 22 families at Mookkunnimala. The department has also accepted applications for title deeds from the families.In November last year, the cabinet had decided to allot 3 cents each for families living at the Old Rajapatha area near Pravachambalam. The cabinet had also decided to construct houses for them under LIFE mission.However, the land, which was originally allotted for the families, was stuck in a legal hurdle. After waiting for several months to vacate the stay over transfer of land, the district administration finally decided to find alternative land.Officials of district administration said that the land was provided as per the cabinet decision. “The families have given application for title deeds. Once the title deeds are given, they will be included as beneficiaries under LIFE mission,” said a senior revenue official.The 22 families living in the puramboke land were ineligible for the compensation announced for the rehabilitation as they did not own the land. They were not ready to move out as they had no place to go. Thus the government decided to give land and build houses for them. However, shifting of the families might take more time as they have to find temporary accommodation till their houses are constructed.Though the project management unit of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has selected Sreedhanya Constructions as the lowest bidder for the widening works of Pravachamabalam-Kodinada stretch, sources said that an agreement is yet to be signed. Sreedhanya had quoted excess amount than the estimate.“KIIFB has to take a final decision on signing the agreement. The delay in convening the meeting of the board is causing the delay in signing the agreement,” sources close to the project said.

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