)
The Centre would resume construction of national highway projects that had been stalled over land acquisition issues in Kerala, said Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
He said things had improved after the state government agreed to the road width of 45 metres.
Gadkari said the ministry had received a letter in this regard from chief minister Oommen Chandy.
Earlier, the Kerala government's proposal to develop national highways at a width of 30 metres had been rejected by the Centre after which the state decided to come out with fresh plan.
Due to land acquisition issues, the National Highways Authority of India had terminated three big projects in the state.
"If 80 per cent of the land acquisition was completed, we will take up the three projects immediately," he said, adding the Centre was "in favour of giving reasonable compensation for the land."
