Maya Train Damage Threatens Quintana Roo Cenotes

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Recent inspections in caves and cenotes where the Maya Train, Section 5 South, passes have raised alarms about potential serious damage to the aquifer, after persistent turbidity and structural damage were detected in underground areas near the Tulum coast.

During underwater surveys, visible alterations in water quality were documented, particularly at points where the columns supporting the railway track show fractures and signs of disintegration, which would be generating sediment dispersion within the cavern system.

Faced with this scenario, environmental organizations are considering undertaking new legal actions, believing that the damage could compromise not only the stability of the infrastructure but also one of the region’s most fragile and vital ecosystems.

Water quality studies continue to be developed and have not been released, as the measurements require direct on-site testing, since aquifer conditions constantly change and can alter results if samples are transported.

The dives were conducted in areas near Akumal and Chemuyil, where damaged columns were observed beneath the surface, some with metallic coatings detached, representing a potential source of contamination for the underground water system.

The affected section corresponds to the approximately 60-kilometer segment between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, a key area for its environmental richness. Additionally, it was warned that structures and meshes remain unremoved along the route, which continue to pose a risk to wildlife.