BPCL-KR Faces Calls from Ayyankuzhi Residents Over Land Acquisition Demands

Speedy summary

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited-Kochi Refinery (BPCL-KR) has been urged to consider the acquisition of land in Ayyankuzhi near it’s campus,as residents claim the area is unfit for habitation due to pollution.
• the issue was discussed during a Chief Secretary-level meeting following protests by over 30 families residing in a 9.4-acre strip sandwiched between BPCL-KR adn Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL).
• Residents were temporarily relocated after a fire involving 220kV KSEB cables on july 8, 2025, and have refused to return unless their demand for land acquisition is addressed.
• Multiple studies and reports from the past two years back residents’ claims about pollution affecting habitability. Authorities referenced similar precedents of land acquisitions at sites in Ahmedabad and Jharkhand.
• BPCL-KR expressed reservations about acquiring additional land, citing that it would not benefit their project or align with regulations under the Right to Fair Compensation Act regarding land use purposes.
• The Kerala State government plans to submit a detailed report addressing this issue when residents’ petition is heard by the Kerala High Court.
• Saji Kumar of Ayyankuzhi Janakeeya Samiti reaffirmed residents’ refusal to return home and urged BPCL-KR toward permanent acquisition within three to six months while providing interim rent support.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This situation highlights important issues surrounding industrial development, public health concerns, and ethical responsibilities toward affected communities. While BPCL-Kochi Refinery argues logistical limitations regarding purchasing additional residential land under legal frameworks like the Right to Fair compensation Act, repeated studies demonstrate harmful effects of pollution rendering Ayyankuzhi uninhabitable. This juxtaposition underscores tensions between corporate compliance standards versus environmental justice principles.

The government’s participation via legal intervention signals potential momentum toward resolving this dispute fairly; however, maintaining urgency could be challenging with displaced families living away from polluted zones. Clear timelines or compensation assurances might ensure trust-building among stakeholders while balancing industrial interests with social accountability obligations critical within India’s broader urban-industrial landscape.

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