PWD gets ₹2.68 crore to fortify three rehabilitation sites for Vallarpadam project evictees

File image of Families evicted from Moolampilly for the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam (ICTT) project staging a candlelight prayer march to Vallarpadam Church. | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat The Public Works Department (PWD) has been allotted ₹2.68 crore for the fortification of three marshy rehabilitation sites allocated to families evicted in 2008 for the rail and road connectivity projects of the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal, thus fulfilling a longstanding demand of the affected families to make the sites habitable.The amount has been credited to the official bank account of the PWD Executive Engineer from the funds deposited by the Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) in the district collector’s account for the rehabilitation of the evicted families.Work will begin as soon as the tendering process is completed. The Moolamppilly Coordination Committee hailed the proactive intervention of District Collector G. Priyanka in finally resolving a vexed issue that had remained unresolved for nearly two decades.This comes close on the heels of the Cochin Port Authority’s decision to release, free of cost, 52,958.70 cubic metres of dredged sand currently stocked at Puthuvypeen for fortifying the rehabilitation sites. The sites at Mulavukad, allotted to 14 families, and Adarsh Nagar and Indira Nagar at Thuthiyoor near Kakkanad, allotted to 56 and 118 families, respectively, are in need of fortification to support construction activities.A meeting of the committee, chaired by the district collector to monitor the implementation of the rehabilitation package on October 31, entrusted the PWD with coordinating the fortification works. The funds allocated will be used for transporting the sand and carrying out the actual fortification of the rehabilitation sites. Kochi Metro Rail Limited will supervise the effectiveness of the fortification worksAs many as 316 families were evicted in 2008 from Mulavukad, Moolamppilly, Kothad, Cheranalloor, Eloor, Manjummal, West Kadungalloor, Elamakkara, Ponekkara and Vaduthala without any immediate rehabilitation proposals. The rehabilitation package was notified in March that year following strong public protests.A government order issued by the then Principal Secretary (Revenue) on March 19, 2008, in connection with the rehabilitation package, had also promised employment to one person from each evicted family, based on educational qualifications. The Moolamppilly Coordination Committee had submitted a memorandum on the matter to Higher Education Minister Rojy M. John, who is also the Minister in charge of the district. Published - November 14, 2026 01:02 pm IST