CHENNAI: land acquisition for 48 stations in phase 2 of Chennai Metro has begun. The project, which is awaiting the Centre’s nod, is estimated to cost Rs 85,000 crore. Initially, only 55km of the 107.55km will be taken up, and notices have been issued to residents along this stretch.
To ensure a smooth execution, the land will be acquired under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act 1997 and not The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (also Land Acquisition Act, 2013).
A CMRL official told Express that they will be acquiring 86 acres of land for the 55-km stretch for Corridor 3 and 5 planned under this phase. “We will be paying compensation under The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013,” said sources involved in acquiring land for the project.
A majority of the land will be government land. A CMRL spokesman said, “We have issued 410 notices for the proposed 19 stations and will be issuing 400 more for the proposed 29 stations.” Notices have been issued to residents and commercial establishments in Madhavaram, Sembium, Perumbur, Otteri, Sterling Road and near Gemini flyover in Nungambakkam, Chepet and Purusaiwalkam where corridor 3 and 5 is being planned.
Notices have been issued for acquiring land to develop Madhavaram yard and stations. On Monday, Chennai Metro issued notices to acquire land for Chetpet Metro Station, Sterling Road Junction Metro Station, Nungambakkam Metro Station, Gemini Metro Station, Purusaiwalkam Metro Station etc.
Chennai Metro Rail has submitted a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) seeking `80,000 crore for implementing the second phase of Chennai Metro which will have three corridors. These include Madhavaram-Siruseri, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT)-Lighthouse and Madhavaram-Sholinganallur. The project from Lighthouse near Marina Beach to Poonamallee in the outskirts is being added at an additional cost of `3,850 crore.
The state has not yet come up with revised Comprehensive Urban Mobility under the National Transit Oriented Development Policy. Sources indicated that CMRL has started the work to prepare a Comprehensive Urban Mobility Plan after funds worth `2.12 crore was sanctioned for the project in the beginning of this month.