Demolition of the portion of Gandhi Bhavan through which Kochi Metro’s via duct will enter MG Road from Banerjee Road has begun.
Only eight cents of land and structures that come in the way will be taken over now, though KMRL is keen to take over the 22-cent plot at Kacheripady. “We will seal the space required for the viaduct and commence metro’s civil works. Though there is no stay order against demolishing the building, a decision to pull down the whole structure will be taken later,” a senior metro official said.
Gandhi Bhavan Committee, which owns 22 cents of land and a multi-storied building at Kacheripady, wanted Kochi Metro Rail Limited to fully take over the premises since metro will cut through the centre of the building. Gandhi Peace Foundation that has an office on the premises wanted only eight cents of land to be taken over. KMRL made it clear that it wanted to go ahead with land acquisition to avoid delay in constructing metro’s viaduc. A month ago, the District Administration handed over compensation worth around Rs. 1 crore to Gandhi Bhavan Committee.
