Thiruvananthapuram:Â The proposed light metro project will now have a flyover at Sreekaryam. This is based on the findings of Social Impact Assessment study carried out to ascertain the need for the flyover. The state government has received necessary sanction for acquiring 1.343 hectares of land for the said project.
The flyover is one of the aspects of proposed Light Metro project. In order to evaluate the need for the project a seven-member expert team was formed. The panel was headed by former Professor of Sociology, University of Kerala, P.K. Bhaskaran Nair with the primary task of preparing Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
SIA was done by Centre for Advanced Research in Health and Human Behaviour (CARB). After public hearing on March 10 the report was handed over to district administration.
The panel has given its nod to the findings of the SIA study which states that flyover is needed to resolve traffic congestion issues at the Sreekaryam junction. Further the committee has observed that a four-lane road too will not help in easing traffic situation at the location.
The report added that the land requirement is minimal and there is no other alternative to the land that has been identified for the flyover.
The expert panel however has stressed for the need to have minimal impact on people during land acquisition. They have asked authorities to have a good rehabilitation plan for those who will be affected. The panel has also asked to employ latest technology to reduce impact on houses and building during demolition drive.
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The authorities have also been advised to relocate the market at the junction to a convenient place.
Compensation to be offered
Committee recommended that compensation and counselling be offered to those displaced at immediate basis. It has also been suggested to identify space for displaced traders and be lenient to those who have taken loans from financial agency for business.
The member of expert committee comprised of:
- Thara Bhai, former Professor, Department of Sociology, Madurai Kamaraj University
- Former deputy Collectors – S. Indukaladharan and S. Sambhudevan Nair
- Councillors V.S. Lathakumari and K.S. Sheela,
- Anand Elamon, Chief General Manager, Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Limited
As per sources the district administration will be submitting evaluation report to the government soon.
Findings of SIA study
The SIA study is a mandatory need as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
As per the study:
- 27% of land belong to one owner
- 46% under joint ownership
- 3% fall in the ambit of a trust, religious groups or community
At the land identified for the project there are 269 buildings out of 280 that are permanent and destroying them would lead to substantial financial loss to the owners.
The physical demarcation of the land was concluded by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) that had designed the 480-m four-lane flyover.
Revenue department on the other hand has received a go-ahead from government to negotiate land purchase. Funds for the said project will come from KIIFB.
