The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Land acquisition issue hinders projects in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Land acquisition issue hinders projects in city

Staff Reporter

Chief Secretary to hold meeting in Kochi today

KOCHI: The contentious issue of land acquisition continues to be the major roadblock in completing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission projects in Kochi.

The issue is likely to be come up at a review meeting of the mission projects to be held in the city on Thursday. The meeting, convened by the Chief Secretary, will be held at the Council Hall at 12 noon.

A large extent of land needs to be acquired for projects ranging from water supply to roads and rail overbridges in the city. Three road projects, two rail overbridges, the drinking water supply scheme from Muvattupuzha river and the sewerage project require land acquisition. The Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant also requires additional land for its expansion. The corporation needs to raise funds for the land acquisition, as the mission will not finance land acquisition.

However, the government has agreed to buy the land and subsequently lease it to the Kochi Corporation. The paper works for the land purchase have been initiated, officials said.

The reluctance of the contractors in taking up the projects is also a matter of concern.

The contractual conditions fixed by the mission are unacceptable to most of the contractors. However, the conditions have been framed in national pattern and there is no scope for dilution of the conditions for individual States, officials said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala