The implementation of the Kochi Metro Rail Project on Wednesday got a major push forward with the state government allocating Rs 297.75 crore for it. The major chunk of the amount will be utilised for land acquisition process which is the immediate requirement, said KMRL officials.
Of the Rs 297.75 crore, Rs 88.50 crore is the state government’s equity share and Rs 209.25 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition. The land acquisition procedures for the project will be carried out in five phases.
“We are hopeful that the land acquisition can be completed in five phases, including the 20 acres of land for the Metro yard at Muttom. The remaining work will be done in four phases. Since land acquisition procedures for Metro are being handled by the district-level purchase committee, it is expected to be complete very soon. By May, we expect land acquisition to be over,” said KMRL MD Elias George. He added that land acquisition will not be a hindrance for the construction to begin as in the initial stage work, the rail line will pass through the middle of the national highway where not much acquisition is needed.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which is undertaking the construction for Kochi Metro, has already floated four tenders for the same.
Once these are finalised, the construction will start by May-June, the officials said.