Sun Feb 08 02:07:00 UTC 2026: # Moolampilly Evictees Remain Unrehabilitated 18 Years Later, Officials Accused of Apathy

The Story:
Eighteen years after being evicted to make way for the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, 316 families in Moolampilly, Kochi, remain abandoned without proper rehabilitation. The Moolampilly Coordination Committee (MCC) accuses revenue officials of neglecting their plight, citing the failure to hold scheduled Moolampilly Package Monitoring Committee (MPMC) meetings and a lack of response from the State government on crucial demands. Forty-one evictees have died while awaiting justice. Despite court orders and promises dating back to 2018, key rehabilitation measures such as issuing evictee cards and providing suitable land for housing remain unfulfilled.

Key Points:

  • 316 families across seven villages are still awaiting rehabilitation 18 years after their eviction.
  • 41 evictees have died while awaiting rehabilitation.
  • Revenue officials are accused of not holding MPMC meetings as scheduled, despite minutes from previous meetings in 2011 and as recently as July 21, 2025, indicating otherwise.
  • The State government has allegedly not responded to major demands, including issuing evictee cards and providing jobs for displaced family members.
  • Promises of photo-affixed evictee cards dating back to 2018 have not been fulfilled.
  • A Kerala High Court order from July 4, 2008, mandating that rehabilitation plots be made suitable for two-storey houses and beneficiaries receive a monthly rent of ₹5,000 until then, remains largely unimplemented.
  • Dredged soil from Cochin Port Authority was diverted for national highway works instead of being used to strengthen rehabilitation plots.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prolonged delay in rehabilitating the Moolampilly evictees highlights a systemic failure in addressing the needs of displaced communities.
  • Official apathy and the lack of political will are significant factors contributing to the ongoing crisis.
  • The failure to implement court orders and fulfill promises made to the evictees demonstrates a disregard for the rule of law and the rights of vulnerable populations.
  • The diversion of resources earmarked for rehabilitation to other projects underscores a prioritization of infrastructure development over the well-being of affected communities.

Impact Analysis:

  • The Moolampilly case sets a concerning precedent for future development projects involving displacement, potentially leading to increased resistance and legal challenges.
  • The continuing plight of the evictees could erode public trust in government institutions and their ability to deliver justice and equitable outcomes.
  • International scrutiny of the case may impact Kerala’s reputation as a progressive state committed to human rights and social justice.

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