Objection to rail link line

KOCHI: The residents of Thrikkakara and nearby areas got the shock of their life when the local body refused to give them permission to construct houses in the wake of the government decision to construct a railway link line from Kalamassery to Cochin Refineries Ltd.“Until June 30 no one had any inkling about it. The decision not to give permission for construction was conveyed to the people who visited the local body after July 1, Salam Peechampally, convener, Thrikkakara Railway Virudha Action Council, said.The move will change the face of the historical Thrikkakara township. Moreover, the proposed rail line is planned through a thickly populated area of Thrikkakara. It is a fact that the government is acquiring land by paying good remuneration. But the people living here have an emotional bond with the land.A government order was brought out in 2007 on the basis of the appeal made by the Cochin Refineries Ltd in 1988, he said. About 250 survey numbers have been identified for acquisition of the land. Meanwhile, the Thrikakkara Municipal Council has passed a unanimous resolution against the move.Representations have been given to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Union Minister K V Thomas, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammad, Benny Behnan, MLA, District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth and others. However, Salam Peechampally welcomed the government’s invitation to hold discussion on the issue at the state capital on  August 16.Aryadan Mohammad who holds the charge of Railways, will be meeting the action council members, to discuss the issue.  Kunjumarakkar, councillor, also the vice-president of the action council, said that atleast 600 houses will be acquired for the proposed railway line.Her said that the government was insisting on laying the line through Thrikkakara. The option for a railway line alongside the existing line to CRL can also be looked into.He said that the action council will meet here on Friday to chalk out a plan. It will also discuss the matters to be taken up during the talks with Aryadan Mohammad.