The land acquisition process for Kochi metro extension from Petta to S.N. Junction at Thripunithura got a shot in the arm on Friday, with 14 landowners along the 1.5-km stretch handing over land to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) as advance possession.
The landowners include Dr. Alex of Thripunithura, who handed over 30 cents, and Aadampilly Kavu Temple Trust, which handed over 4.5 cents to KMRL. The metro station proposed at S.N. Junction will be constructed in the land handed over by Dr. Alex, said a press release.
The landowners handed over advance possession of their land to KMRL managing director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish at the metro agency’s office here. The land acquisition process for the Phase-I extension from Petta to S.N. Junction is in the final stage, and taking possession of plots will begin in March.
The Revenue authorities and KMRL staff had held several rounds of discussions with landowners, residents associations, and people’s representatives about the need for land acquisition to hew out a four-lane road on the busy road, with the metro viaduct passing through the centre.
The State government has transferred ₹109 crore to the account of the District Collector for speeding up land acquisition.