A. Srivathsan Chennai: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd has commenced consultation with property owners to purchase land for constructing stations and laying the metro line. There are 36 stations along the two metro corridors and 18 of them are located entirely on government properties. The remaining 18 stations are located partly on private properties. According to a Chennai Metro official, the first round of consultations for 10 stations for buying properties had been completed and the remaining eight will be undertaken soon. Murali Rangan, one of the property owners on the Mount Road, who attended a recent consultation organised by the Chennai Metro Rail, said he and others at the meeting were shown the location of LIC station and explained how their properties would be affected. The Chennai Metro Rail authorities had explained to them that the properties would be purchased based on a fair price, which would be arrived at after the recommendations of Chennai Metro Rail valuers (yet to be appointed) are received and negotiated with property owners. Forced land acquisition would be adopted only when properties are under legal dispute or are facing other problems. At the consultation, the property owners suggested alternatives for station location, not just to protect their own property but also to take into account other practical considerations, but the Chennai Metro Rail authorities did not take the suggestions seriously, Dr. Rangan said. Officials expect the construction to commence early next year.