KOCHI: Going by the current progress, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited may not be able to stick to its target of completing land acquisition for the 1.2-km Tripunithura extension from Petta to SN Junction by January.
The KMRL was planning to engage the contractor agency in January and begin the groundwork by February. With the slowdown in land acquisition by the revenue department, the work will be delayed accordingly. The Metro agency had targeted to commission the Tripunithura corridor by December 2021.
A total of 93 'ares' of land (one 'are' is 0.0247 acre; one hectare is 100 'ares') owned by private individuals apart from land owned by government agencies has to be acquired along the stretch.
"Land acquisition process is underway and we have completed the hearing for rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package. The report on the package will be submitted before December 31. All details of the plots and buildings, including their photographs and videos, have been collected to avoid disputes in future.
Though January was set as the deadline, the process can be completed only by February," said a top official with the revenue department.
Meanwhile, KMRL sources said that the Metro agency was expected to get the entire parcel of land by February-end. "Acquisition process has gained momentum and is in the final stage. Work along the corridor will not be delayed further as tenders for preparatory civil work have already been awarded," sources told DC.
The Tripunithura extension at an estimated cost of Rs.356 crore includes construction of two additional lanes on the Panamkutty bridge at Pettah, viaduct construction and two stations, namely Vadakkekotta and SN Junction. Earlier, the state government had allotted Rs 123 crore for preparatory work in the Pettah-SN Junction.
