The inhabitants of Ayyankuzhi, who was moved to the cottage in Chottaanitikkara, was followed by a recent fire break in the BPCL-KR campus. | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakat
Almost a month after the outbreak of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited-Kochi Rafinery (BPCL-KR) Campus in Ambolamugal 8 July, about 30 families evacuated from Ayyankuzhi-zakryté near the refinery-kontinue to live in a cottage in Chottanikkara. When solving their request, there was little progress to get their land and quote it as inappropriate for housing.
At the meeting of the participating parties held on July 31, the main secretary called on the BPCL-KR to actively consider the acquisition of soil. He quoted examples of similar acquisitions made in areas affected by pollution in Ahmedabad and Jharkhand Public Sector businesses and asked BPCL-KR authorities to consider the demand of the population.
“We still have to hear from the company. The district collector can organize another round of discussion with them,” said the higher official of the Income Department. The affected families refused to return to their homes unless the decision to demand their land is made. Meanwhile, the NSK UMESH district collector is expected to release the contribution later this week after the recent regrouping of the highest civil servants.
Families were temporarily moved to Chottanikka Lodge after the fire broke out in the 220 kv Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which passed through the underground channel on the BPCL-KR campus, causing considerable anxiety to close residents. Families live on a narrow lane of 9.4 acres between two main businesses of the public sector-hindustan organic chemicals Limited (HOCL) and BPCL-KR-on Ayyankuzhi.
The state government is expected to submit a detailed report of the Keral High Court when the petition filed by the inhabitants will come at the end of this month.
The BPCL-KR consistently expressed reservations about further acquisition of land in this area and claimed that it would not serve any purpose for its operations. The company was constantly claiming that it did not share the border with the residential area. It also quoted the right to a fair compensation and transparency in obtaining a land acquisition Act, rehabilitation and relocation, which orders that the acquired land must be used exclusively for the intended purpose.
Saji Kumar, a trader of Ayyyankuzhi Janakeeya Samithi, said that families would not return if the final decision on acquisition demand is not made. He also pointed out that more reports of the Council of Pollution Control (PCB) reaffirmed the accusation of the population of pollution in this area.
Published – 2. August 2025 17:47
