Thiruvanathapuram: Amidst various political parties opposing the proposed K-Rail project in the state, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced a Rs 13,000 crore special economic package for those set to loose their homes from the project.
"A total of Rs 13,265 crore will be kept aside for the compensation package under the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project," Pinarayi Vijayan said.
"Out of this, Rs 4,460 crores will be set aside for those losing homes," he added.
The acquisition of land for the scheme will be completed in two years and the construction of the project will be completed in three years. While 50,000 people will be employed in the project during the construction phase, 10,000 will be deployed in the SilverLine after completion.
To study the environmental and social impacts of the project the alignment process which is currently in progress needs to be completed.
The project will be implemented by minimising the impact on the society at large.
"Rail projects have minimal ecological impact compared to other modes of transport. SilverLine will reduce the carbon footprint in the state," the Chief Minister said.
Rs 4.6 lakh in addition to compensation
A sum of Rs 4.60 lakh will be provided to those who lose their homes in addition to a compensation amount.
The alternative option is a compensation amount of Rs 1.5 lakh and a house under LIFE Mission.
For those below poverty line who will be rendered homeless during the execution of the project will be provided five cents land and a house under the LIFE mission. Alternatively, they will be provided 5 cents land and 4 lakh compensation, or 10 lakhs in addition to the compensation amount.
A compensation amount equivalent to four times the fair price will be provided in rural areas and a compensation amount twice the fair price will be provided in urban areas.
Priority for jobs under K-Rail
Qualified job aspirants within the affected families will be given priority for jobs in the project.
Shopkeepers who lose their commercial spaces will also be given priority while allotting shops in the commercial centres associated with K-Rail. A sum of Rs 50,000 will be provided in addition to the compensation amount to those who lose commercial plots.
Other announcements
•Owners of commercial space for rent: Rs 2 lakh
•For tenants who lose rental accomodation: Rs 30,000
•For self-employed who lose jobs: Rs 50,000
•Labourers at commercial plots: Rs 6,000 for 6 months
•Makeshift shops: Rs 25,000- Rs 50,000
•For street vendors doing business on government land: Price of items sold and Rs 5,000 for 6 months
•A compensation of Rs 25,000 to Rs40,000 will be given if cow sheds are removed during the execution of the project.
The ambitious K-Rail project, also known as the SilverLine project, is expected to reduce the travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod to around four hours, and is estimated to cost more than Rs 60,000 crore.
However, various political parties in the state are opposing the project citing various issues, including environmental concerns.
