Environmental and social concerns rise over Vizhinjam railway tunnel construction

The state government has decided to construct a railway tunnel between Balaramapuram and Vizhinjam to provide railway connectivity to the Vizhinjam International Seaport, raising serious questions regarding environmental and social aspects. According to a report by The Hindu, the project's estimated cost is over ₹1,500 crore and it is to pass through an extremely densely populated area. Despite the availability of alternative land, the government's choice of this route is being questioned by experts and the public against the promises of sustainable development.

This proposed tunnel is set to become the state's second-largest tunnel and the country's third-longest railway tunnel. However, experts have expressed doubts regarding the feasibility of constructing this tunnel under the Vizhinjam-Balaramapuram road. Due to the fragility of regional geology, soil types, and high population density, it has been suggested that the project may not be practical.

Dr. V. Nandakumar, former Director (In-charge) of the National Centre for Earth Science Studies and former head of the Natural Hazards Research Group, stated that there appears to be no comprehensive study conducted on the geological formation, changes in soil types, or the east-to-west groundwater flow along this 10.7 km long route. Based on his more than 30 years of experience, he stated that most parts of the proposed route are likely to pass through geologically weak areas.

According to Dr. Nandakumar, below the upper laterite layers, there may be decomposed lithomargic clay and hard rocks in some places. In other sections, there may be clay and sand layers below red soil layers. Such soil composition is unsuitable for container trains that weigh many tonnes.

This route passes through the most densely populated areas of Thiruvananthapuram district, where people depend on open wells for drinking water. Dr. Nandakumar warned that the concrete tunnel structure being built at a depth of approximately 30 meters could obstruct the natural movement of groundwater, which may cause wells to dry up in areas already facing water scarcity.

Furthermore, vibrations from heavy container trains passing through the tunnel excavated in weak soil could damage all constructions, ranging from large buildings to small houses, including incidents such as cracks or buildings collapsing. This could lead to land subsidence and pose a long-term risk to the entire area.

Experts have also questioned the failure to find an alternative route through low-lying areas such as the Pallichal-Mudavoorpara paddy fields, which are 10 meters lower than the proposed tunnel. Such a route could reduce the risk to populated areas and the environment and could also lower construction and maintenance costs. Additionally, a surface-level route would be more suitable for future track doubling.

Overall, in its current form, this project could risk the livelihoods of millions living along the Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam corridor and regional stability.