Adimali: Protesting the forest department’s alleged ban on the construction of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway, various organisations have called for a hartal in Devikulam taluk on Thursday. The department has not given the green light to the stretch from Neriyamangalam to Valara, stalling road development.

A mass protest march has also been announced in connection with the hartal. The march will begin from near the Sixth Mile Forest Station in Neriyamangalam and proceed to the Neriyamangalam Forest Range Office, with the support of several people’s organisations.

The hartal is being organised under the leadership of the National Highway Protection Committee and other allied groups. The United Democratic Front (UDF) has extended support to the hartal. While the Merchants and Businessmen Coordination Committee has expressed full solidarity with the cause, they have announced they will not officially participate in the hartal.

Protesters say the forest department's objection is unjustified and argue the department has no legal claim over the 14.5-km stretch of the road. They point out that a division bench of the Kerala High Court has already ordered that the construction of the 100-ft-wide road should not be hindered.

However, subsequent legal actions have again halted progress, allegedly due to misleading reports submitted by certain bureaucrats, labelling the area as forest land. Protesters claim that a lobby of forest and environmental officials is working behind the scenes to derail the project.

The National Highway Protection Committee has urged the state government and the Chief Secretary to urgently submit authentic land records in court and resume construction without delay.

The committee hopes for a large-scale participation in the march on Thursday. The march will be flagged off at Sixth Mile and conclude beyond the Neriyamangalam Bridge, followed by a protest rally.