THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The coastal residents’ protest against the Vizhinjam International Seaport project at the project site entered the tenth day on Thursday. Led by the Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese, the protest has seen women and children joining the fishermen, demanding the government halt the project and address their livelihood concerns.
The protest has started getting support from other communities and groups across the state. But there are also voices who support the port project. They consider the protest ill-timed and unnecessary. The protest has caught the attention of the government, which has offered to rehabilitate people living in camps after talks under a group of ministers. A 10-acre land near the affected area of Valiyathura has also been made available after hectic parleys. But the church has decided to continue their protest as the government failed to meet their major demands.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has made his stand clear on not stopping the `7,525-crore project that has already missed its deadline twice. His allegations against the protesters did not help either in finding a solution. Though the talks between the Church and the chief minister on Thursday failed, the protestors still pin their hopes on the CM to find a permanent solution to their life and livelihood issues.
Meanwhile senior Congress leader K Babu, who was ports minister during the Oommen Chandy government that signed the contract with Adani Group for the project, said the Left government failed to implement the Rs 471-crore rehabilitation package for fishermen.
Rejecting criticism that the deal for the port project was signed without adequate studies being undertaken, K Babu said the UDF government had conducted a proper Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment before signing the deal.
The UPA government that was in power at the Centre, issued the environmental clearance for the port project after proper studies. He said the Chandy government, towards the end of its tenure, had announced the rehabilitation package. However, the Left government that came to power in 2016 failed to implement the same. The protests by fishermen are primarily for proper rehabilitation and compensation. But the Pinarayi government has been trying to alienate the fisherfolk through its hostile approach, he said.
There is widespread criticism against the UDF for supporting the fishermen protests against the Vizhinjam project. The Church leadership and the fishermen bodies have, however, criticised the previous UDF for its failure to ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected before starting port construction.Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan recently said the Chandy government knew that there will be some impact due to the project.
“That’s why it announced the rehabilitation package. The UDF government was under pressure to implement the project without delay. Otherwise the state would have lost the same. Hence it went ahead with the same soon after getting necessary clearance,” said a senior Congress leader.
port of call
Diwan CP Ramaswamy Iyer (1936-1947) recognised the potential of the deep seaport