Even as Kochi Metro is racing against time for the completion of works, a section of traders are threatening to throw a spanner in the Metro works unless a proposal to acquire land for road widening is not withdrawn immediately.
This was the sentiment at an emergency meeting convened by the Kaloor Merchants Union here on Wednesday. They feared that majority of the shops and commercial establishments on the Kaloor-Deshabhimani stretch would be forced to shut down by the time the metro works were complete.
The traders also warned of agitations, including blocking the metro works, if the proposal to acquire land for road widening was not withdrawn immediately. They, however, added that they opposed only the new un-notified land acquisition, the survey of which started recently.
“We do not have any problem with the rail project coming up using the land that is already acquired. But we vehemently oppose any further acquisition,” they said.
“The KMRL has started another phase of land acquisition without any prior notice. This will ruin our business prospects. Discussions with the metro rail authorities are still on. But barricades have been put up by the authorities preventing many customers from visiting our shops,” said K.A. Mohammed Ali, general Secretary of the organisation.
At least 45 shops on the stretch will have to be completely demolished as against the partial demolition of a couple of shops as envisaged earlier, according to a survey launched last month.
A decision with regard to taking over land in the area was taken during a meeting held on May 16.
The traders said since Kaloor was a key location, their business has taken a beating due to the ongoing metro works. They demanded that the district administration should consider rehabilitating the affected merchants in addition to paying them adequate compensation.
