The Hindu Business Line : Keral Govt begins land acquisition for fast-track infrastructure projects

THE State Government has initiated the process of land acquisition for implementing the infrastructure projects that have been identified for speedy implementation.

The Government, it may be recalled, had put in place a fast-track mechanism last month for acquiring lands for the projects in the wake of the Centre sanctioning road projects worth Rs 3,050 crore in the State. The fast-track projects also include doubling and gauge conversion of railway lines and expansion of airports.

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the Government had already begun acquiring lands in respect of some of the projects.

According to a note circulated among newspersons, a part of the land required by the Railways for doubling and gauge conversion of rail lines has already been handed over to it.

In all, the Railways has raised additional land requirement of 52.63 hectares for as many as 22 such projects. The remaining land is expected to be handed over to the Railways within the next 60 days.

Similarly, the Government has designated four-laning of National Highway 47, covering 412 km, as one of the fast-track projects. While work on some of the stretches of the highway has already been completed, the land required for the project on the other stretches is being acquired by the National Highways Authority of India.

In the case of expansion of Thiruvananthapuram airport, the required land for starting work on phase I has been acquired, except for two cents. The remaining land also will be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by November 15, and the work can commence any time thereafter.

However, AAI is yet to place its requirement of land for expansion of Kozhikode airport, says the note.

Mr Chandy said that the Cabinet had decided to implement a voluntary retirement scheme for the employees of the Chittoor Sugar Mills. Besides, the Finance Minister will examine the possibility of the State Beverages Corporation taking over this mill as also Pamba Sugar Mills.

The Cabinet has also decided to extend a one-time government financial assistance to help the struggling Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. . The Chief Minister would decide the quantum of assistance after studying the financial position of the corporation.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Kerala

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page