Revenue land near Vizhinjam encroached upon

Revenue land near Vizhinjam encroached upon

Even as the first phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport construction is nearing completion, a section of people who earlier spearheaded an agitation against the port construction has allegedly started encroaching on a portion of revenue land at Valiyakadappuram in Vizhinjam and began constructing a structure violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. 

Though the issue was brought to the attention of the State government agencies by Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), which is implementing the Vizhinjam deep water multipurpose seaport on a  public–private partnership (PPP) basis, no action was taken by government agencies, according to sources.

The present construction of a permanent structure on the Valiyakadappuram beach was carried out within the High Tide Line, in violation of the CRZ norms. Despite the port authorities filing a complaint with the Revenue department, Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA), and civic authorities, no action was taken against the encroachers, said the sources. 

Earlier, the local church authorities allegedly encroached on revenue land near the port premises and obstructed the construction of the port compound wall after erecting a cross on the encroached land. They had been demanding 1.5 acres near Mukkola to return the land allegedly encroached upon by them.

The State government agencies have been maintaining a silence on this matter despite the matter being brought to their attention, said port sources. The State is also yet to take action against the illegal encroachments at Adimalathura and Pulluvila.

According to a letter sent to the KCZMA and other government agencies by the port authorities, the unauthorised construction is being carried out by a group of labourers engaged by the local church - Our Lady of Good Voyage, Kottapuram, Vizhinjam - at the Valiyakadappuram beach.

The encroachment and construction comes under survey no 14/260 government Puramboke and the construction is about 16.5m ×11.5 m with a height of about 1.6 m.