Kerala Monorail Corporation Ltd. (KMCL) on Friday carried out inspection of land on the Technopark premises for rerouting the elevated mass rapid transit system (MRTS) through the IT hub and relocating the monorail stations at Kesavadasapuram and Pattom.
The KMCL team, led by managing director Sheikh Pareeth; chief general manager S. Madhavan Pillai; and project manager V.K. Sivadutt were accompanied by officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., general consultant and consultant respectively.
The team conducted a detailed inspection of the land for the proposed alignment mooted for linking the IT hub with the elevated MRTS. The team held discussions with Technopark authorities on the proposal.
Sources said re-routing Reach 1 from Kazhakuttom Junction through the periphery of the Technopark to rejoin Reach II, which extends from Karyavattom to Kesavadasapuram, was feasible. A decision at the highest level was needed on meeting the cost of laying the additional line via Technopark and for acquiring the private land outside the IT hub to connect the line with Reach II.
The KMCL has sought 0.5 hectares to set up a monorail station in the IT hub. It has been found that the additional line will incur a cost of Rs.316 crore. In addition to the land from the Technopark, another 86 cents will be needed for laying the line.
P. Jayakumar, general manager, Civil, DMRC’ executive engineer Georgekutty; and director, Systems, KMRL, Ved Mani Tiwari; were on the team.
The officials also inspected the site for the proposed monorail stations at Pattom and Kesavadasapuram. The inspection was carried out as there is demand to relocate the station from Kesavadasapuram where a car accessories showroom is located. The one at Pattom is close to the PSC and Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Relocating the station at Kesavadasapuram will be difficult as the proposed site is convenient for those coming from M. C. Road, sources said. Places of worship and shops and bus establishments make the alternate land mooted too costly for acquisition.
