Sabari Rail Project: Land Acquisition Process Likely To Be Delayed

Despite the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail project having received the green signal after a three-decade-long wait, resumption of the land acquisition process – required to complete necessary technical procedures – is likely to be delayed.

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @Kottayam

The initial notification for acquiring land was issued prior to the introduction of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act or LARR Act, 2013. Hence, the government will have to resume the entire process in accordance with the new legislation.

According to officials, a new government order (GO) for land acquisition will be issued shortly. However, prior to this, the project must be reviewed and approved by the finance department.

"The government will issue a new GO. Based on that GO we will start preparations," said John V Samuel, Kottayam district collector.