Time to change our development policy

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 Is it not the right time we seriously think of changing our developmental ideologies while another catastrophic flood sweeps through the fresh memories of a great deluge last year.

 Here, I am sharing some concerns about the 'High Speed Rail' project, which is being revived after a short interval. The concerns are mounting when the project, which was supposed to be abandoned, incarnated as "Semi-High Speed rail". Shouldn't Big projects be avoided in Kerala? In this densely populated region of Kerala, is there any need for mass evictions?  There are around 1,509 people living in Kerala today per square kilometer.  In Kerala, where the per capita debt is already Rs. 46,000, this project will add more burden on the people. As on 2014-15, the debt of the Government of Kerala was Rs 141947 crore.  The project is estimated to cost around Rs 65,000 crore. But experts say it could cost more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore due to the time period and inflation.   Are we ready for such huge financial burden.?  Do we not need development that protects people and nature?  Any project we undertake should be  nature friendly. Tonnes of rocks are needed to be mined for this project.  Even if the money needed for this large project is borrowed, shouldn't it be repaid with interest?  Where are we going to rehabilitate the evicted?  Why is it that people are being hunted and harassed by the State, like some predators?  What is the motive behind this?  Don't we see thousands of civilians will be evicted and nature will be  mercilessly exploited. But this scheme is only useful for the very rich.  This project is possible only by demolishing many churches, monasteries, schools and institutions of faith and worships. Instead of such massive destructions let us improve the existing Airports, upgrade existing railways, improve efficiency of highways and roads and High range Highways.  Let us promote the much talked about inland waterways and make possible National Waterway from Kovalam to Kasaragod. In this densely populated state, the government must withdraw from this massive project which has a huge financial burden and has caused huge environmental impacts, forcing  evictions of thousands of people.  The mainstream political parties and the people should realize the disadvantages of this project and oppose the government and abandon the project.