Kochi: In a rare show of civic responsibility at a time when land acquisition for infrastructure often sparks resistance, a group of residents in Kolenchery in Ernakulam have voluntarily surrendered prime land free of cost to widen a key bypass road aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in the town.

The residents gave up land to widen the Canal Bund Road, which runs from the Tempo Stand on the Kochi-Madurai National Highway to the Self-Financing section of St. Peter’s College along Kolencherry-Pulinchodu Road. The road serves as a crucial connector between these main roads and functions as a vital alternative route to bypass the traffic-clogged town centre.

All the land contributors - Jacob P Varghese, Sumi George, Rony Thampi, Suja Shaju, Jithu Elias, and Binoy Chacko Mudavanthiyil - played a role in the widening effort, facilitated through the intervention of Poothrikka Panchayat ward member Babu Varghese. Notably, all except Binoy belong to the same extended family, the Punnackal family, spanning three generations.

According to Babu Varghese, Binoy Chacko Mudavanthiyil agreed to remove a pillar of a building on his property along one end of the road to facilitate the widening works. The remaining five family members together surrendered over 13 cents of land for the project.

What makes the initiative particularly significant is the absence of any compensation. Unlike National Highway projects, panchayats do not have funds earmarked for compensating landowners for road widening. Yet, the residents chose to part with land worth lakhs in today’s market.

Jacob P Varghese said this is not the first time the family has donated land for public infrastructure. Nearly two decades ago, he and his elder brothers, MV Varghese and PV Alias, had collectively given a rectangular strip of land, around 3 metres wide and 180 metres long (approximately 13 cents), to create the original Canal Bund Road.

“At that time, there was no proper access road to my brothers’ properties. The panchayat requested us to give land so that a road could be developed. We cut a mud road by giving 13 cents, and later the panchayat tarred it,” Jacob recalled.

Over the years, the land owned by the brothers was divided among their children. MV Varghese’s property went to his children, Suma George, Suja Shabu, and Mary P Varghese. Mary later transferred her share to her son, Rony Thampi. PV Alias gave his land to his son Jithu Alias. Now, members of the family across three generations have come together to once again surrender land, this time to widen the road from 3 metres to a proper 6 metres.

“The earlier road was too narrow, especially when two-way traffic moved simultaneously. Vehicles would often get stuck. Now, all of us - me, my brothers’ children and even one of the grandchildren - have decided to give up the same amount of land again so that the road can be properly widened,” Jacob said.

Once the land is handed over, the Poothrikka Panchayat will construct a retaining wall, tar the road, and install metal rail guards along the sides. There are also proposals for a “cut-and-cover” system over the Periyar Valley canal flowing along the road, which, along with protective walls, could significantly reduce traffic congestion in the town.

The widened road is expected to offer major relief from the daily gridlock that often stretches nearly 500 metres along the National Highway through Kolenchery town. It will improve connectivity to areas such as Thammanimattam, Kinginimattam, Karukappilli, and Poothrikka, while providing easier access to the Self-Financing College, the Panchayat Vegetable Market, and the Cooperative Bank without entering the congested town centre.

Jacob said that current land prices in the area are close to ₹10 lakh per cent, which means the family is effectively giving up land worth around ₹1.3 crore. Yet, he sees the move as an investment in collective progress.

“It is true that we are losing land worth more than a crore rupees. But good roads are essential for development. A wider road will eventually increase the value of the remaining land. If we start any business establishments in the future, proper road connectivity will be a big advantage. Above all, this will help decongest Kolenchery town. As residents, we believe it is our social responsibility to be part of such solutions,” he said.

Ward member Babu Varghese described the gesture as exemplary. “Most people hesitate to give up land free of cost, especially in a town where land value is rising rapidly. What this family has done is truly commendable and will bring great relief to the public,” he said.

In a state where infrastructure projects are often stalled by disputes over land acquisition, the Punnackal family’s decision stands out as a powerful model of community-led development, one that places collective benefit above individual gain.