The Metro project may deprive 149 people of their houses or workplaces, according to a social impact study that covered a stretch from Kunnara to Petta. Photo: Josekutty PanackalKochi: Thankamma is all praise for Kochi Metro. The fish vendor in the Chambakkara market feels that the new mode of transport will transform the face of her city. She also knows that the transformation may result in the loss of her livelihood.
“I have been carrying a fish basket in this market for 55 years. If you tell me to vacate this place overnight, I will not be able to bear it,” she says before suppressing a sob.
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Thousands of people depend on the 200-year-old market for their livelihood. The market got a brand ambassador of sorts when Manikandan was catapulted to instant stardom with his role in ‘Kammattipadam’. The actor learned life in its raw form in this market.
The market has kept its prominence in Kochi over the years because of its proximity to the backwaters and national and state highways. Motor vehicles and boats can easily access the market.
Yet the market is in stagnation. The 40 cents of land is bursting at the seams with fish and meat vendors, ice suppliers, truck and auto rickshaw drivers and tea shop owners.
The Metro project will have to take over 3.75 acres of land on the stretch from Kunnara to Petta, which includes the Chambakkara market. Tens of thousands of people rely on this market, says CPM Ernakulam district secretary P. Rajeev.
The Metro project may deprive 149 people of their houses or workplaces, according to a social impact study that covered a stretch from Kunnara to Petta.
The report had suggested the development of the Kunnara park to an eco park and the upgrade of the Chambakkara market to rehabilitate those who lose their livelihood to the project.
Cost of land
The acquisition of land for Metro near the Maharaja’s College, Kalamassery, Vyttila and Thykkodamm areas was a success. The land was divided into three and three values were fixed for the lands.
The Metro project courted controversy for paying a prominent textile shop Rs 52 lakh per cent of land. The price was sensational because it was a quantum jump from the previously highest Rs 27 lakh.
However, the government had an easy task because it had to deal with commercial establishments along the stretch. The government took over 12 houses and 20 shops at Thykkoodam. The government also announced a bailout package of Rs 6.36 lakh for those who had to part with their land.
The land acquisition will be a hard nut to crack at Chambakkara. There are 84 families who are permanent residents between Kunnara and Petta and 65 merchants who run businesses from rented shops, including in the Chambakkara market.
The government has been taking over land in accordance with the 2013 act and the locals refuse to let go of their land because they feel that the acquisition price may be too low compared to earlier deals. The district administration has promised to pay 10 percent higher than the original price to overcome the resistance but a collective of the people has decided to stay put and launch agitation methods including a hunger strike.
The stretch from Kunnara to IOC petrol pump falls under category as per a government decision. The price would be Rs 22.51 lakh per cent, which the land owners deem to be too low. Many of them have been expecting up to Rs 30 lakh. The stretch from the petrol pump to Petta, which falls under the second category, is worth Rs 27.36 lakh. Most of the house owners have accepted this offer. The new law also promises a waiver of stamp duties and registration expenses.
