While the state government is facing stiff opposition from the fisherfolk regarding the Vizhinjam port project, the district administration is going ahead with the port land connectivity junction project.
As per the social impact assessment (SIA) report published by the district administration, 29 families, including 39 owners of private plots, will be affected by the proposed land acquisition for road connectivity between the Vizhinjam International Seaport and national highway (NH) 66.
As many as 42 cents of land in Vizhinjam village and Neyyattinkara taluk will have to be acquired for the project.
The project aims at enhancing the connectivity to the port area. Trucks and other heavy vehicles will be able to commute smoothly with the implementation of land connectivity junction project, the report has noted.
For the project, 78 trees of nine different varieties will have to be felled.
The report recommends that compensation shall be disbursed in an immediate manner to the families who give away their land. Besides, eligible compensation shall be ensured for those who lose their house, buildings, compound wall, gate and trees. Special care shall be taken to avoid travel impediments to residents during the construction works.
The SIA report notes that the landowners were apprehensive about the future of the project due to the delay in initiating the land acquisition process.
All the landowners have demanded financial assistance for rehabilitation and adequate compensation. The project will be implemented at Mulloor ward coming under the Thiruvananthapuram corporation limits.
The SIA report has recommended that construction activities can be started by acquiring the land by providing compensation as per the norms to those who lose their land, buildings and agricultural plots.
During the public hearing, the residents had demanded that they be allowed relaxation in building norms for new constructions in the remaining plot and if relaxation is not granted, the entire plot shall be acquired with eligible compensation.
The residents also pointed out that during the categorization of plots, huge disparity occurs in compensation rates and that this shall be addressed. Also, land remaining unused after the acquisition shall also be acquired for the project.
It has also been pointed out that the project will be beneficial to the public only if the junction is connected to the four byroads.
