Keralam PWD readies ₹3.26-crore plan to fortify three rehabilitation plots for Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal evictees

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

A view of Moolampilly island. Total 316 families were evicted for rail and road connectivity to the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal. | Photo Credit: File photo H. VIBHU

The Public Works department (PWD) has prepared an estimate of ₹3.26 crore for transporting sand and compacting three rehabilitation plots allocated to evictees displaced for rail and road connectivity to the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT).

The estimate was submitted at a meeting of the sub-committee constituted for the implementation of the Moolamppilly rehabilitation package on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) at the Collectorate. Representatives of the PWD, Cochin Port Authority (CoPA), Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), Kanayannur taluk, and a representative of the Moolamppilly Coordination Committee attended the meeting. Strengthening two marshy plots at Thuthiyoor, allotted to 56 and 118 families, and a similar plot at Mulavukad for 14 families has long been a demand of the beneficiaries.

“The CoPA has agreed to supply sand free of cost for strengthening the plots. The estimate covers the transportation of the sand and subsequent compaction of plots using it. It is now before the sub-committee for consideration,” said a PWD official present at the meeting. The dredged sand from the river basin by CoPA is currently stocked at the LNG Terminal’s plot in Puthuvypeen, from where it must be transported to the three sites.

All three houses built at Adarsh Nagar in Thuthiyoor have developed structural problems, which families attribute to the marshy nature of the land. While one house tilted, another sagged, and the third developed cracks. Two houses have been built and two more are under construction on the firmer part of the plot at Indira Nagar in Thuthiyoor. The Mulavukad plot was only recently made available to evictees after fair value fixation and clearance of seized vehicles dumped on the site by the local police.

“Our proposal to move the sand by barge to plots adjoining waterbodies was rejected by the committee. Instead, tipper lorries will be deployed. The Revenue department will apply for a pass from the Mining and Geology department for sand movement, based on which a letter will be issued to the CoPA detailing the registration numbers of the lorries and the duration of transport. The pass is likely to be sought for three months,” said Francis Kalathungal, general convener of the Moolamppilly Coordination Committee. The KMRL will monitor and certify the compaction of the plots.

The acquisition of land for ICTT connectivity displaced 316 families across seven villages spanning three Assembly constituencies, Kalamassery, Ernakulam, and Vypeen, and six local bodies: Kochi Corporation, Kalamassery and Eloor municipalities, and Mulavukad, Cheranalloor, and Kadamakkudy panchayats. Though the Left Democratic Front government led by former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had notified a rehabilitation package, it is yet to be implemented in letter and spirit.