In protest against the proposed semi-high speed corridor in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced a major rehabilitation and land acquisition package for the project-affected people. He also said that his government will not bow down to the protest as the project is in the interest of the state.
Presenting the project details to selected spectators in the state capital to counter the opposition-backed protests, the Chief Minister recalled how his previous government used long pending land for GAIL, National Highway Development and Inter-State Electricity Highway. was acquired. Acquisition facility was provided.
“The interest of the state will be implemented carefully. The policy of the previous government was not to surrender in protest against the projects beneficial to the state. We have the mandate for that stand and this government will continue with that policy,” he said.
Announcing the rehabilitation package, Vijayan said land would be acquired at four times the market rate in rural areas, while it would be twice the market rate in urban areas.
“An amount of Rs 13,265 crore has been earmarked for compensation. Apart from compensation for the acquired land and property, a compensation of Rs 4.60 lakh will be given to the families. Otherwise, under the plan of the state, we will get a house built for Rs 1.50 lakh.
A similar lucrative package was also announced for traders and others whose means of livelihood would be adversely affected by the project.
The Chief Minister said that 50,000 jobs would be created in the implementation phase of the project and 1.10 lakh jobs would be created once commissioned. Preference will be given to the eligible of the affected families.
“The land acquisition will be completed within two years and the project will be made operational in 2025, after ensuring that the construction is done round the clock,” he said. The government has been pushing for the project since assuming office for the second time in May last year.
In the ongoing CPI(M) district conventions, Vijayan highlighted the plan, alleging that the protest was led by the Congress combining-BJP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Hours after the announcement, Congress state president K Sudhakaran said his party “will not allow him (CM) to go ahead with the project.”
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