Union Minister for Surface Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has said his Ministry has given approval for road development projects to the tune of Rs 34,000 crore in Kerala. He was speaking in Thiruvananthapuram today, after inaugurating the works for developing National Highway 47, stretching from Kazhakoottam upto Mukkola, on the outskirts of the capital. He said all political parties should take a united stand as far as development is concerned. <br/><br/>Gadkari announced a slew of projects, which include four-laning of NH-47 connecting Thiruvananthapuram bypass to the proposed Vizhinjam International Container Shipment Terminal, Kochi-Vallarpadom-Kozhikode coastal Highway, Thalassery-Mahe four-lane highway and the four-lane highway, linking Kannur airport and National Highway-17. He said a new elevated road and under-pass will be constructed near Thiruvananthapuram Technopark, to ease traffic congestion. He also announced setting up of a Committee headed by Chief Secretary, for expediting land acquisition proceedings, in Kerala, which he said is the main obstacle for National Highway development in the state. <br/><br/>Speaking at the function, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a reasonable compensation package will be given to land-owners,who give their property, for road development. He said that land acquisition procedures will be expedited.