“Maya Train Project’s Devastating Environmental Impact Revealed – Activists Sound the Alarm!”

The Maya Train, a significant infrastructure project under the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), is causing substantial environmental damage, particularly in Section 5 South, which links Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Activist and diver José Urbina has recently documented the environmental degradation resulting from the construction of a railway bridge.

Urbina's latest video showcases the transformation of a previously verdant jungle into a concrete bridge site. This bridge, crucial for the Maya Train's route, is being constructed by the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena). The process involves drilling into the karstic ground to insert metal piles, which serve as support beams.

The video highlights the vulnerability of the karstic soil, known for its porous nature. "We can see piles penetrating the aquifer, this is the foundation for the train, this is a collapse. We can see these rocks that were once part of the ceiling, and everything in this area tends to collapse," Urbina explained.

The use of heavy machinery for drilling has led to ground collapses, creating unnatural caves. Beyond the geological changes, Urbina has condemned President AMLO and Sedena for the damage to the aquifer layer. The metal piles are already starting to rust, leading to groundwater contamination. There have also been instances of concrete spillage in some caves.

Urbina estimates that Sedena has felled around 10 million trees to make way for the train tracks. Speleologist and water consultant Guillermo DChristy has also voiced his concerns about the Maya Train's environmental impact. He has specifically criticized the use of wire mesh along the tracks, intended to allow wildlife to cross via a viaduct. DChristy warns that this measure is poorly executed and may inadvertently aid poachers in trapping or killing animals.

The Maya Train's adverse environmental effects on Section 5 South have sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the project's sustainability and feasibility. Environmental activists and experts continue to document and expose these impacts, calling on authorities to reassess and minimize the damage caused.