THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The social impact assessment report prepared ahead of land acquisition for construction of Vizhinjam - Balaramapuram railway has pointed out that the proposed project will adversely affect the status of land spread over 138 survey numbers.
5.602 hectares of land spread between Balaramapuram and Pallichal village in Neyyattinkara taluk has to be acquired. Most of the land is used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
As the proposed rail connectivity mode has been changed from surface to underground/tunnel, amendment in environmental clearance has been sought. Considering all this, the final central environmental clearance is yet to be obtained for the construction of Vizhinjam port railway through underground tunnel. It is recommended that steps be taken to minimize the social impact.
For the proposed rail connectivity of Vizhinjam, the nearest stations are Nemam, Balaramapuram and Neyyatinkara on the Thiruvananthapuram Nagercoil section of the Southern Railway.
Earlier studies indicated that a rail connection from Neyyattinkara was not recommended considering land control and additional resettlement needs. Also, four temples are located on this route. Feasibility study was also conducted in connection with Nemom and Balaramapuram stations. Balaramapuram station has been selected as the starting point of the proposed rail line after considering other possibilities, the report said.
According to the report: