Kochi metro project requires more land

Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) said it would require a total of 40.409 hectare land for the metro rail project instead of the earlier estimate of 31.9216 ha.

The new estimate of land requirement for the project is based on its final blueprint of the location of stations and parking spaces, which was released recently.

According to the final blueprint, there will be additional parking spaces in Kalamassery, Edappally and Kaloor apart from the two terminals in Aluva and Petta.

The company tried to provide parking space in almost all stations, and for the 22 stations, it will require 9.3941ha. Authorities have now decided to use 2.7869 ha for developing additional parking facilities.

KMRL now plans to position the viaduct outside the median at some places instead of its earlier plan to construct metro's viaduct through the median on roads, including the national highway.

With the release of the blueprint, KMRL would focus on taking over the land and the revenue department will execute the process of acquiring land. Meanwhile, it has come to light that KMRL will not be able to provide parking facilities at certain locations like Maharaja's College ground.

It was pointed out that acquiring more land on prime locations like MG Road would lead to escalation of cost.