NHAI and KMRL to sign memorandum for Metro construction
Kochi- The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is likely to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in order to resolve their differences of opinion and thus facilitate the construction of the Metro in the city.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is considering plans to finalise tenders to speeden up civil works of Kochi Metro. KMRL is indulged in discussions with NHAI to iron out the issues.
NHAI had raised an objection against the launch of Kochi Metro work without first acquiring land for widening the national highway along which the metro overbridge has been proposed to be constructed.
The Kerala government is not satisfactory with the Authority’s condition of land acquisition before commencing the project. It said that acquiring additional land is not a practical proposition owing to the opposition from local residents and the high cost that is likely to be involved in the process.
However, it seems that the NHAI has already issued an in-principle approval to carry out construction of the Metro on the stretch between Edappally and Aluva on NH 47.
The State government is hurrying up with the matter in order to ensure that there will be no much delay caused to the project because of NHAI’s objection.
The Managing Director of KMRL admitted that although there are certain issues pertaining to land acquisition and widening of the highway, the matter will be discussed with the highway authority and other stakeholders and include suitable clauses in the MoU to execute the project.
As per KMRL, a 11.4 km stretch on National Highway 47 between Edappally and Aluva is expected to be affected by the proposed Metro project. The project will require 8 meter-wide space in the centre of the highway for executing the project.
The KMRL has planned to return five metres of this land while three metres would be retained for the Metro line. It is planning to take over government land only by freeing out all encroachments along the highway and get the land required for the project. But at some points along the stretch there is no other option but to acquire land.
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