Residents of Alandur have opposed Chennai Metro Rail's reduced compensation package and moved the court seeking fair valuation of their property, which have been identified for acquisition.
In January, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), after identifying the land required for constructing the tracks and the station in Alandur, held discussions with 29 property owners. It offered Rs. 3,745 per square feet as the market price for the properties.
The residents initially demanded more, but settled for the amount offered. However, in June, CMRL went back on its offer, and issued land acquisition notice and fixed the value of the properties at Rs. 900 per square feet. The residents opposed this and wanted a fair price.
Property consultants
When contacted, CMRL officials said the land acquisition process is being handled by the Collector of Kancheepuram and the Alandur residents' case is in court. They also told that the inputs from CB Richard Ellis, international property consultants appointed to advise CMRL on property prices, were taken into account.
The officials explained that 10 per cent of the land required for metro rail has been acquired and the acquisition of remaining properties are in different stages.
Two Metro Rail corridors totalling a length of about 45 km have been proposed at the cost of Rs. 14,000 crore. Corridor I will start from Washermenpet and run through Chennai Central and will end at the airport. Corridor II will begin at Chennai Central and will reach St. Thomas Mount via Koyambedu. Both the corridors will intersect at Alandur and the station there will serve as an interchange point.
