CONTEXT 

• A light rail project has been proposed by the government of kerala.
• The project, if implemented, will substantially reduce the travel time between the two extremities of the State, namely the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram in the south and the town of Kasargod in its north.

CONCERNS

• A light rail is a symbol of modernity, but this modernity comes at an implicit cost.
  • There are not just the upfront costs of installing one but also the hidden environmental impact.
  • This cost can vary enormously according to geography and the project’s spread.
• Also, Kerala already has a railway line that is two-laned for the most part. There is an international airport in every urban conurbation. It is well connected by road, with one of the higher road densities among States.
• Hence, so far, the project has mostly drawn criticism from environmental groups but there are also economic considerations that must be brought to the table when judging its desirability.

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

The environmental costs of rail line in Kerala:

• The land In Kerala is of an undulated topography combined with an often rocky surface that is prone to crumbling when dislodged.
• Excessive quarrying and construction have already left it vulnerable to torrential rain,
  • This was very much evident in the devastating landslides recorded across the State in recent years.
• The railway proposed may be light, but it will impact the stability of the earth’s surface along its course.
• Also, it has been pointed out that a part of the land that has been earmarked for acquisition for the project are wetlands, including paddy fields.
  • This should concern us, as paddy is the staple food of Malayalees.
  • Its production in Kerala has been in decline for over half a century.
  • Part of this is explained by economic factors but some part of it is due to the lack of an assured water supply.
• Hence, a double whammy of building over paddy fields and shrinking water bodies threatens food security.

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALTERNATIVES

• The government of the state needs to take into account all alternatives, before taking up any developmental projects.
• Since all other modes of transportations already have well connected networks in Kerala, the state government can explore the possibilities of transportation over water, which is yet to be explored. This would leave the land untouched.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-heavy-footprint-of-a-light-rail/article35137343.ece