The latest addition to Singapore's rail network is a 13km, nine-station line tracing the east coast shoreline.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew announced this during a visit to the Marina South Pier Station, which is an extension of the North-south Line that is expected to open later this year. Mr Lui said the new line - originally called the Eastern Region Line - is scheduled for completion by 2024, and expected to cost $6.8 billion.

The line is an extension of the Thomson Line and will head east through areas such as Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade and Siglap and terminate at the world's first four-in-one depot in Bedok South.

The project will however involve 24,136.4 sq m of land being acquired. Six houses along Amber Road and a three-storey walk-up apartment block at 443-447 Tanjong Katong Road will be fully acquired.

Eight partial lots will also be acquired. This includes part of the land that condominium Laguna Park along Marine Parade Road sits and part of the land that St Patrick's School sits on.

Other partial lots being acquired are along Tanjung Rhu Road, Meyer Road, East Coast Road and Changi South Street 2 and 3.

The bulk of the acquisition, however, will come from Laguna Golf & Country Club which will have to give up 17,656 sq m.