Central nod, State funds awaited for metro’s Kakkanad extension
The Hindu
Over 50% of preparatory works to widen land complete
Even as the Revenue Department has handed over 40% of the land needed for Kochi metro’s 11.20-km Kakkanad extension, christened Pink Line, to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the Union Cabinet’s sanction remains elusive for the ₹1,957-crore project.
In addition, 53% of the preparatory works to widen the tracts of land that were handed over to the metro agency is over, sources said. These areas ought to be widened, as part of the work to hew out a 22-metre-wide corridor beneath the metro viaduct.
The metro agency is, in the meanwhile, hard-pressed for funds to the tune of ₹100 crore to compensate people who surrendered their land and demolished buildings as part of the preparatory works which is being executed by the State government. The District Collector has submitted a proposal to the State government to realise this amount, so that the balance 60% of the requisite land can be taken over, it is learnt.