The much publicised Semi High Speed Rail (popularly known as Sky Rail) project of the CPI(M)-led Kerala Government has run into rough weather as many persons whose land and houses are being acquired for implementing the 529.45 km long track declared their intention to commit suicide.
Jayakumar, a former employee of the public sector Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, his wife and teen-aged daughter poured petrol over their bodies in a bid to immolate themselves at Kollam on Monday. The incident took place when government staff went to their house to install the survey stone, an indication that the land is being acquired by the Government for developmental works. “I am already broken financially because of the Government’s refusal to pay my salary arrears and pension benefits. The reason being given is that the treasury does not have funds. How come that a government which is incapable of reimbursing my salary and pension arrears running into a few lakh rupees would implement this project costing Rs 65,000 crore,” asked Jayakumar.
He said the KSRTC workers have not been paid salaries for the last many months. “I do not have any other sources of income and the only option before me and my family is to take our own lives,” said Jayakumar while pouring petrol over himself and other family members. The timely intervention of the police and media persons made them to give up the suicide bid.
Jayakumar’s was not an isolated threat. Thomas, a Gulf-returnee who had toiled in West Asia for 27 years had invested all his savings in constructing a house in his native village in Alappuzha. The Government officials dropped in on Monday morning to inform him about their plans to take over the newly built house. “I have invested my entire savings in constructing this house. If the Government takes over this house, me and my family would commit suicide as we have no other sources of income,” said a sobbing Thomas.
The Kerala Government is yet to come out with the Environmental Impact Analysis as well as a rehabilitation package for those who would be displaced by the project. The State administration has been put into defense with the disclosures made by Alok Kumar Verma, former Chief Engineer of Indian Railway who headed the team that prepared the Detailed Project Report. “The DPR prepared by us have been diluted and distorted to suit the convenience of the people in high places. This project is not feasible or viable,” said Varma.
The Sky Rail project is fast emerging as the State’s Killing Rail, according to K Sudhakaran, president, KPCC.