Union minister for urban development Venkaiah Naidu today said the Centre would expedite proposals for the extension of Kochi metro to cover Thripunithura and Kakkanad, the IT hub of Kerala.
The minister promised to consider the request for allocating an additional Rs 400 crore in the current financial year for the project. Kochi metro required a budgetary support of Rs 880 crore this year.
Naidu was here today for a review meeting on Kochi metro. This is his maiden visit to the state after becoming the Union minister. The meeting was attended by member of Parliament, KV Thomas, managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), Elias George.
During the meeting, the minister also was positive to consider the KMRL's proposal for setting up a water transport project. KMRL had already submitted a project report of Rs 52 crore to the ministry. Naidu said the proposal would be considered under the new scheme for urban renewal projects, being worked out to replace the JNNURM.
Officials have also pressed upon him KMRL's plan to develop a state-of-the-art eco-friendly smart city at Kakkanad.
