Resettlement & Land Acquisitions
In implementing the development activities such as construction of new parallel railway lines, rehabilitation of the existing lines and modernizing of associated railway stations under the project for improving to the railway system in Sri Lanka, it has been estimated that more than four households have to involuntarily be relocated from the proposed right of ways in four major corridors. In the KV Line itself, the number of families to be relocated will be 1600. Most of these households can be considered as squatters and some are title holders. Resettlement of them in alternative locations has to be carried out according to the ADB safeguard policy and policies of the government of Sri Lanka (National Involuntary Resettlement Policy - NIRP).
As per the Safeguard Policy Statement of ADB, 2009, (1). it is necessary to avoid involuntary resettlement wherever and whenever possible, (2). minimize involuntary resettlement by exploring project design alternatives, (3). enhance or at least restore the livelihoods of all displaced persons in real terms relative to pre-project levels and (4). improve the standards of living of the displaced poor and other vulnerable groups. Further, the involuntary resettlement safeguard covers physical displacement (relocation, loss of residential land, or loss of shelter) and economic displacement (loss of land, assets, access to assets, income sources, or means of livelihoods) as a result of (i) involuntary acquisition of land, or (ii) involuntary restrictions on land use or on access to legally designated parks and protected areas. It covers them whether such losses and involuntary restrictions are full or partial, permanent or temporary.
Organisation in PMU to carry out Resettlement Process
In order to perform the resettlement and land acquisition activities, two dedicated units, namely Social & Environmental Safeguard Unit and Land Acquisition Unit have been established under the PMU of the CSRP. Planning, Implementing and monitoring of involuntary resettlement together with the land acquisition are carried with the assistance of consultancy firms as well as government line agencies such as Divisional Secretariats, Ministry of Lands, Valuation Department, Survey Department, UDA and Local Authorities.
Resettlement Process of CSRP
| Item | Progress |
|---|---|
| Socio Economic Survey in Railway Lands | Completed |
| Review Survey within Construction Boundaries | Completed upto Nugegoda |
| Preparation of Database and GIS Application | Completed |
| Agreement for provision of 1244 Housing Units with UDA | Signed |
| Payment for UDA Housing | 20% Completed |
| Handing over of Housing Units by UDA to CSRP | Commenced |
| Preparation of Resettlement Framework | Completed by ADB |
| Document collection for proof of Entitlements | Completed upto Nugegoda |
| Preparation of Entitlement Matrix (EM) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) | Completed |
| Cabinet Approval for EM, RAP and Cost Estimate | Approval Granted |
| Setting up of Entitlement Assessment Committees | Action Taken |
| Setting up of three level Grievance Redress Mechanism | Action Taken |
| Preparation of Income Restoration Report | 90% Completed |
| Relocation of 262 families living between Maligawatte and Seevali Lane | will commence in April 2020 |