KOZHIKODE (Metro Rail News): The proposed semi-high-speed rail project has become the hot poll topic in the coastal areas of the district with indefinite agitation against the project going on in at least 10 spots along the proposed alignment of the project. The indefinite satyagraha at Kattilpedika in Chemancherry panchayat has crossed 64 days and residents, including women, are participating in the stir. The agitation at Moodadi panchayat has been going on for 43 days.
The issue became a major poll topic with UDF joining the various local-level action committees, which had been on the warpath against the project during the last three months. Many action committee leaders are in the fray in the local body polls, mainly under the banner of the UDF. Concerns about possible displacement of families along the proposed alignment of the project have emerged as the main campaign topic in at least six local body institutions, including Chemancherry, Moodadi, Thikkodi, Chorode, etc.
According to the district-level action committee, as many as 3,000 families will have to be displaced in the district alone for the SilverLine project implemented by Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail).
“The K-Rail project has become the most important poll issue in local body institutions from Elathur to Chorode in the district. The threat of displacement has created serious concern among people and it will have an impact in the poll outcome in many wards,” T T Ismail, chairman of Anti-K-Rail Janakeeya Samithi, said.
He added that people belonging to all political parties along the affected areas are part of the agitation. Leaders of opposition political parties, including Congress leader Oommen Chandy, and others have made it a point to visit the venue of agitation during their campaign visits.
