“We do not oppose the seaport project. But, we also cannot remain mute spectators as work continues at our cost. This is our land, source of livelihood and we have nowhere else to go. This is a matter of life and death for us,” says Antony, a fisherman.
Antony’s words are borne out of frustration shared by the residents of Vizhinjam, who view themselves as a deceived lot. Incensed over the inordinate delay in implementing the rehabilitation package, the residents are in no mood to relent as the agitation that has brought the Vizhinjam international seaport project to an abrupt halt enters its fourth day on Friday.
The local populace has much to lament with the implementation of the rehabilitation package remaining a non-starter, even while the seaport project has progressed smoothly.
“Ever since the project got under way, the fishing community here has borne the brunt of its adverse effects. Several fishing boats have been damaged in the strong waves that have claimed close to 10 lives so far. During the last few months, around 150 houses, of which some where built only a year ago, have suffered cracks after test piling was undertaken for the project. No compensations have been disbursed to those affected despite coming under the ambit of the package. Numerous petitions have been sent to the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd. (VISL), but to no avail,” Justin George, a local resident, said.
According to Ignatius Stephen, joint secretary of the parish council of the Our Lady of Good Voyage Church that has backed the agitation, the government has failed to ensure that employment opportunities were provided to members of the local community.
“Barring three people who were employed by a sub-contractor two months ago, no one has benefited from the project,” Mr. Stephen said.
LIFE scheme
He added that while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had assured that houses would be provided under the government’s LIFE housing scheme, no further steps has been taken in this regard, Mr. Stephen said. A preliminary assessment estimates that 1,578 homeless fishermen would require houses under the rehabilitation package.
The agitators have now pinned their hopes on a meeting that has been called on October 30 in a bid to address their concerns and recommence the work.
Demands ‘just’: VS
Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission chairperson V.S. Achuthanandan, who had made a failed attempt at meeting the protesters a day ago, urged the government to take the lead in implementing the rehabilitation package and ensuring eligible compensation for the fishermen.
Terming the demands just, Mr. Achuthanandan said that such projects must not be undertaken by troubling the local populace.
The observations that were made by the Kerala High Court and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India regarding the project must also be viewed with due seriousness, he added, in a statement.
