THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod semi-high speed rail line will be demarcated from next week. One lakh survey stones are required.

With this, the acquisition of 955.13 hectares of land for the 532 km rail line passing through Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod districts will enter into practical steps. The Revenue Department will soon issue a 6 (1) notification for demarcating these lands which are in the possession of private individuals.

It will take three months to complete the demarcation. While the Special Deputy Collector is in charge in Kochi, Special Tehsildars are in charge in 11 other districts. This will be supervised by District Collectors.

There will be a joint inspection of Revenue and K-Rail after the demarcation. This will be followed by an environmental impact study conducted by an independent agency. This study will show how many families will be evacuated, how many will be affected, how many buildings will be demolished and how much damage will be done. Environmental impact studies provide an opportunity for people to express their views. There will also be a digital survey.

Land availability

1226.45 hectares: Total land

955.13 hectares: Private land

185 hectares: Railway land

86.32 hectares: Government land

1 lakh stones

Cost- Rs 1 crore

5 agencies

3 months to complete the mission

532 km: Length of rail line

Rs 13,265 crore- Required for land acquisition and compensation

Rs 66,405 crore- Total cost

Rs 33,700 crore- Foreign loan.