The proposed 1,005-metre flyover at busy Pattom junction of NH 66 is expected to be “beneficial for the people,” as it ensures “safer transportation and better access with other regions in city and district”, a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study has found.
The widening of the corridor between Pattom and Plammoodu won’t help to de-congest the traffic in the area.
Such an endeavour won’t be viable due to the presence of a large number of commercial units and institutions of importance in the area, the SIA study done by Rajagiri Outreach, a society under the Rajagiri College of Social Science, Kalamassery, says.
The proposed flyover is estimated to have less impact in comparison to other possible alternatives, says the draft study report submitted to District Collector and Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd. (KRTL), the SPV created to execute the Light Metro from Pallipuram to Karaman in the capital.
Agency
The agency was tasked by the district administration to carry out the study mandated by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLAR&R) 2013.
For the proposed two-lane flyover with a width of 7.50 metre each and overall width of 18 metre, about 3,215 sq.m. of land coming under Pattom and Kowdiar villages will be needed.
Land to be acquired
The land to be acquired includes 840 sq.m. from Kerala Public Service Commission and 125 sq.m. from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
The remaining land is to be acquired from 54 families in the vicinity of the project.
“Land acquisition is expected to be with minimum objections and public, including those who will be affected, are generally affirmative for the project,” the report, prepared by the eight-member team, states.
Due to limited availability of land, increased commercial vehicles and a large number of business units on both sides of the road, the SIA study has found that widening of the existing roads was found ‘unviable and impractical’.
Social impacts
The alignment of the flyover was made by avoiding residential dwellings as much as possible. Further, it passes mostly above the current wide road to ensure that the commercial activities are disturbed the least.
The principle of shortest route serving the maximum population, minimum drainage crossing while identifying the land for acquisition has been considered, the report says.
As many as 55 persons will lose land and 44 employees and 11 tenants will have a negative impact on their livelihoods.
Apart from the loss of land, two families will be displaced since their residence is to be affected permanently.
The findings and suggestions of the SIA study is based on the questionnaire survey conducted among 20 affected families and 11 tenants, socio economic surveys, interviews and discussions.
Public hearing
The public hearing for the affected persons will be held from 3 p.m. on August 8 at Santa Maria Convent, Plamoodu.
The draft SIA report is available at the two village offices, KRTL office in Kowdiar, and the District Collectorate.
The suggestions from the hearings will also be incorporated in the final report.
