CM to review them at Oct 20 meet on Metro
Deadlock over acquisition of the land owned by the textile shop still continues. (Photo: DC/File)
KOCHI: Even though Metro Rail contractors have been busy completing construction of pillars along the 18 km Aluva, Maharajas College stretch, there are a couple of unforeseen problems that might affect timely completion of the project.
Uncertainties over acquiring land along the congested Kaloor, Desabhimani stretch, a plot owned by a renowned textile shop near Kacheripady and the Delhi High Court order to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) against awarding the contract to lay tracks for Kochi Metro are some of the major problems that have to be immediately resolved.
“There a couple of issues that have to be sorted out immediately. The chief minister’s review meeting scheduled for October 20 is expected to take up these matters. Works at Kaloor, Desabhimani stretch have been stopped as girders cannot be placed unless the narrow road is widened. Land should have been acquired before completing the pillar construction. Now, surveying of plots by the revenue department is progressing after which the acquisition process will start,” said Elias George, managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
Though traders have agreed to surrender their land for road widening as per the rates fixed by the district level purchase committee, technical issues have delayed the acquisition. As per the revenue department records, some of the plots have been marked as Puramboke land. Hence, lack of clarity on disbursing compensation has delayed the acquisition.
Meanwhile, deadlock over acquisition of the land owned by the textile shop still continues. KMRL authorities are considering two options to sort out the issue; either to reduce the width of the Metro Rail corridor by up to 10 metres near the garment showroom or providing parking space for the shop, on certain conditions, if they release land for the project.
Regarding the Delhi High court stay on awarding the contract for laying the track, the KMRL will submit an affidavit in reply by November 5. The court has stayed awarding of the contract till the next date of hearing on a plea challenging the tender process initiated by DMRC.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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