The Vizhinjam–Navayikulam Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram has encountered another delay after the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority rejected the environmental clearance granted to the project on technical grounds. The authority said that environmental clearance for highways executed by the National Highways Authority of India must be issued by the Union government’s environmental authority, not by a state-level panel.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from affected landowners, as the clearance had been under consideration since February. Landowners alleged that delays and lack of coordination between the state and central governments have left around 6,500 families without compensation. The Outer Ring Road was designated as National Highway 866 in 2023.

Ajith G Nair, president of the Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Landowners Movement, said both NHAI and the state government failed to take proactive steps and overlooked basic legal provisions related to environmental clearance. He alleged that there is no designated nodal officer for the project and that agencies including NHAI, the district administration and the Public Works Department lack clarity on its execution.

Chandramohan Nair, convenor of the landowners’ action council, accused authorities of making repeated announcements without securing funds or approvals. He questioned why land acquisition was initiated without financial readiness, highlighting the hardship faced by thousands of affected families.

NHAI officials said the project could face further delays, as the format and process for securing environmental clearance from the Centre differ from those followed at the state level, necessitating fresh applications and approvals.