For over 100 evicted families, the first to accept the rehabilitation package under the Vallarpadam project, the decision to trust the previous LDF Government is proving disastrous.
Despite stringent warnings from the Moolampilly Coordination Committee, they accepted the government deal in 2009 and went on to become the first batch of evictees to accept the rehabilitation package. However, they are the worst off among the 316 families evicted under the Moolampilly package.
The land allotted to them at Thuthiyoor in Kakkanad is devoid of any basic facilities, including the water and electricity even after three years of receiving the title deed. While the others got many of the facilities, including electricity and water, and work on many houses completed, the land alloted at Thuthiyoor doesn’t even have a road.
Some evictees even managed to get land close to their native villages in lieu of their persistent demands.
“We had warned them repeatedly not to accept the deal unless the government gives it in writing that all the facilities will be provided. But many of them went on with their decision and accpeted the title deed. The Moolampilly Coordination Committee stuck to its demands on provision of basic facilities at the rehabilitated sites and rehabilitation near the native villages,” said the Convener Francis Kallathunkal.
But, the evictees at Thuthiyoor said making a decision was difficult when one had no roof above head. “The government had promised us to provide all facilities. Besides we were informed that there was no other area available near our native village. So we decided to accept the land before the government backtracks from the move,” said Nobert Matthew, an evictee from Kothad.
Adding to the woes is the fact that the land at Thuthiyoor has now been turned into a waste dump for the debris from the demolished North RoB. “After we launched a stir, we were informed that the debris would be moved soon. Though the officials began the work and started crushing the debris,the work is now at a standstill,” said Nobert.