(b)
(c)
(d)
The Land Acquisition Co-ordinating Committee, which was formed to ascertain the areas of land needed to build the railway, to plan the resettlement of persons affected by the scheme and to co-ordinate the acquisition and clearance of the land. The Committee held 20 meetings during the year.
The Utilities Co-ordinating Group, which was established to develop procedures and proposals for and monitor the progress of the diversion of utility services necessary to facilitate the construction of the railway. The Committee held 13 formal meetings and completed the planning work for the whole of the Initial System. Approximately 20% of the 'pre-construction' diversions associated with the Modified Initial System were completed.
The Safety and Security Co-ordinating Committee, which was responsible for the safety and security aspects of the railway, its construction and operation. The Committee met twice to consider fire prevention needs, fire fighting procedures, security gates, the safety aspects of escalators, lifts and the cooling water system.
13.12 A committee known as the Traffic Management Group, set up within the Highways Office organisation to examine the traffic implications of the construction programme, held 18 meetings and completed the strategic traffic plan for Kowloon. This Committee also reviewed a programme for introducing the plan in stages, in the light of the adoption of the Modified Initial System and the progress made in Kowloon on road improvements works during the year.
13.13 The identification of land required for the construction of the railway was completed and a review of the requirements of the Modified Initial System as opposed to the Initial System was started. Following processing through the Land Acquisition Co-ordinating Committee and approval by the P.W.D. Conference, negotiations to acquire or lease 17 of the 30 privately owned sites involved were completed whilst a further 15 sites on Crown Land were allocated.
13.14 The Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance was enacted and came into force on 21st August 1974. The preparation of the Railway Area Plans required under the Ordinance was substantially completed and a start was made on the drafting of plans to facilitate the granting of leases, easements and short-term tenancies to the future Corporation.
13.15 Examination of public and private development proposals adjacent to the Mass Transit Railway routes continued to ensure that construction of the railway would not be frustrated. A total of 32 new proposals were examined and in every case the desired aim was achieved either by a redesign of the foundations or an amendment to the development proposal.
Construction
13.16 The site of the future Kowloon Bay Railway Depot was cleared, levelled and enclosed by security fencing.
13.17 The construction of a reinforced concrete structure beneath Kwun Tong Road to accommodate the railway connection between the depot at Kowloon Bay and the running line south of Choi Hung Station was 65% complete.
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