Environmental, social costs of Vizhinjam port railway tunnel to be higher than anticipated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The State government’s decision to construct a railway tunnel to Vizhinjam International Seaport costing over ₹1,500 crore through a densely populated region, despite the availability of an alternative land alignment, has raised eyebrows among many, with experts and members of the public questioning its environmental and social costs against the backdrop of the State government’s stated commitment to sustainable development. The proposed tunnel between Balaramapuram and Vizhinjam to provide rail connectivity to Vizhinjam International Seaport has triggered serious environmental and land stability concerns in the region.

The project, which is set to become the State’s second major tunnel project and the country’s third-longest railway tunnel, has been disputed by experts regarding its feasibility beneath the Vizhinjam-Balaramapuram road, who termed it potentially unviable given the region’s fragile geology, soil types and high population density. Dr.

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