KOCHI: As the French funding agency Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD) has formally announced loan for the Metro Phase II, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited is all set to begin its preparatory works. “The KMRL will submit the requisition for land acquisition once the surveying of the required plots is over. Survey process is progressing and is expected to be complete soon,” said top sources at KMRL.
“There were confusions over whether to follow the new Land Acquisition Act or opt for the direct purchase of land by negotiating compensation directly with landowners. The state government has extended the direct purchase option for the Phase II as well. Once, the requisition for land acquisition is submitted, the District Level Purchase Committee will fix the value of land and begin negotiations with landowners.”
A total of 8.65 acres of land has to be taken over for the 11.2 km Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – Infopark line which will have 11 stations. The AFD has offered a loan amount of Rs 840 crore for the Phase II. The alignment earlier fixed for the Infopark line was changed following objections from certain corners. RITES, the consultancy agency, has submitted revised alignment.
After a recent review meeting with AFD on the progress of Metro Phase I, KMRL managing director Elias George said that the preparatory works for Kakkanad line including land acquisition would begin soon even before the project gets official sanction from the Centre. The Metro Phase II now needs to be cleared at three major levels such as the pre-Public Investment Board, the Public Investment Board and the Cabinet.
