Special units to be formed for land acquisition

KOCHI: Two special units will be formed for the land acquisition of the proposed Metro Rail project. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited has already sought the permission of the State Government to form these Units. Each unit will have a total number of 25 members and will be headed by Tahsildars. The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting convened here on Saturday. “The unit members also include deputy tahsildars, village officers, surveyors and other officers related with the land acquisition process. The preliminary discussions with the Revenue Principal Secretary have already been held,’’ Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Tom Jose said.  He said that once the State Government gave nod to the proposal to form the units, the land acquisition for the Metro Rail could be completed within 10 months. “The formation of special units will help in speeding up the revenue proceedings related with the land acuquisition,” he said.Jose said the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd was hopeful of solving the issues related with the land acquisition in an amicable manner. However, he said that Saturday’s meeting did not discuss any issues related with the evacuation or rehabilitation of shops under the North Over Bridge.  A total of 32 hectares of land is needed to be acquired for the Metro Rail project. As per the initial assessment, 292 buildings from seven villages will have to be evacuated. Meanwhile. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi next week seeking nod for the Metro Rail project. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited has also started the works of the key Metro Rail -related projects.