400 shops in the line of metro rail link to Kakkanad

400 shops in the line of metro rail link to Kakkanad
Preliminary work is on for the metro rail extension to Kakkanad in the hope that a central government clearance will be available soon.

Kochi: The proposed 11.2-km metro rail link from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor to the InfoPark in Kakkanad will affect 400 shops. A survey revealed that 40 shops will have to be knocked off entirely, and 360 face partial ripping. According to the primary findings of a survey conducted ahead of the land acquisition for the project, land will have to be acquired from about 280 landowners. Preliminary work is on for the metro rail extension to Kakkanad in the hope that a central government clearance will be available soon.

Representatives of the Kerala Voluntary Health Service, which conducts studies on the social implications of the project, held discussions with those who would lose land and commercial establishments. The study, which started a month ago, will be completed this month and a report will be submitted to the district administration.

The study is aimed at finding out the possible implications in the areas where land is acquired and for eliciting suggestions on fair market prices for owners when land is acquired, ensuring compensation for those who lose land, and rehabilitating those who lose their livelihood when land or building is lost.

A joint survey has been completed by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited and the revenue department to examine plots to be acquired and related issues. Checks were carried out at locations where land to be acquired was marked and survey stones laid. Land will be acquired in an 11-meter area on both sides of the land where the metro rail pillars are to be built. The marking stones were placed earlier after measuring the space. The joint team carried out checks to ensure its accuracy.

Land owners seek market price and jobs

An association of landowners whose property will be acquired on the Kakkanad link has demanded market rate for the land and a rehabilitation scheme for those who lose their land. Their meeting demanded that one person each from families that lose land should be assured of a job. Those who lose shops should be compensated with shop rooms at metro stations or at the metro business district.

The meeting also stressed that the metro rail construction should begin only after parallel roads are readied for traffic alternatives.

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