Kerala lags in investment due to lack of infrastructure: CM

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the state lagged in infrastructure growth and investments mainly due to issues related to land acquisition in the state.
Congress led UDF government made good progress in its declared policy of 'development and care', but lacked in two areas, infrastructure development and investment, Chandy said during the Cabinet briefing here.
Problems and issues related to land acquisition were the main hurdle and government has taken a stand that "it cannot say not to development", Chandy said.
Besides this, issues related to environment and Wetland Rules have also come on the way of development, he said.

The state government was of the view that it would take up projects along with measures to conserve and protect environment, he said.
Chandy said government has decided to go ahead with land acquisition for National Highway development with 45 meter width. The focus now was on NH 17 and NH-47.
It was estimated that an amount of Rs 12,000 crore was needed for acquiring land to a tune of around 3,800 acres for these two national highways.
Chandy said government has no other options other than going for 45 meters width expansion of national highways, as the Centre is not ready for state's proposal for 30 meters width.