KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd's (KRML) plan to set up a Metro station at Chembumukku as part of the extension to Kakkanad is on shaky ground with the St Michael's Church authorities voicing their protest.
At a public hearing held under the aegis of Thrikkakara MLA PT Thomas and KMRL MD AP M Mohammed Haneesh, church representatives registered stiff opposition to the construction of the metro station in front of the church, where renovation work is going on.
"The completion of the church construction is the dream of churchgoers. But KMRL's move to set up a station in front of the church will come as a jolt. We will be forced to demolish the under construction building. So we will never permit the KMRL to construct a station in front of the church," said the church representatives at the public hearing.
According to a church representative, KMRL did not have any discussion with church authorities while planning the station. "A five-storied building in front of the religious institution may not look good. Moreover, a hefty amount has been invested by several believers for the church renovation. Identifying an alternate space for the station is the only option," said the representative.
However, PT Thomas while discussing the issue at the hearing, said an amicable solution needs to be taken. "Several developments in the state have taken place thanks to church authorities handing over land for the same. An amicable solution needs to be identified to settle the issue," he said.
The cost for extension is estimated at Rs 2,557 crores and will have a total length of 11.2 km. There will be 11 stations in the extension from JNI Stadium, including Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Signal, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Kunnumpuram, Kakkanad Junction, Kochi Special Economic Zone, Chittethukara, Rajagiri, InfoPark I and InfoPark II.
KMRL authorities, meanwhile, said plans are yet to be finalised for acquiring the land. "Only the route has been identified for the extension of the project. The final picture will be out only after the government approves the project," said a KMRL official, about the land acquisition on the stretch. As per the initial assessment, the land acquisition for the second phase of extension is likely to affect 300 landowners and 400 commercial establishments, both small and large business ventures.
The meeting also urged the completion of several other projects, including the extension of the MG Road-Kakkanad road and development of the arterial road to avoid traffic congestion along the Kakkanad-Palarivattom stretch. The representatives of shop owners, NGO association members, people's representatives and revenue officials took part in the public hearing.