Kochi metro rail to get ready within four years

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director Tom Jose on Wednesday said that the Phase-I of the project would be completed within a span of three to four years.

“We will sit down with our partner Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and chalk out the way forward obtaining advice and guidance from E Sreedharan, former chief of DMRC,” he added.

KMRL is also looking at seamless integration of various modalities of transportation viz rail, water and road, which will be the unique selling proposition (USP) of Kochi metro for enhancing the quality of life of the citizens of Kochi.

The central Cabinet has formally approved the project on Tuesday with a total financial outlay of Rs 5181 crore. The Public Investment Board (PIB) had okayed the project this March and considering their recommendation, the Cabinet has given a green signal to the dream project of the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

 

There will be two separate committees for the implementation of the project. Cabinet secretary will chair one committee and Kerala chief secretary will be the chairman of the other. The government has also accorded sanction to avail loan from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

In March, the Kerala government had decided to entrust the construction of the project with DMRC. In December 2004, the Kerala government took an initiative to prepare a detailed project report for the Kochi metro project and assigned DMRC for that. It was expected to start by 2006 and completed by 2010.

The cost of the project was revised to RS 5,181 crore from Rs 2,239 crore in 2005. About 31.92 hectare of land needs to be acquired in Ernakulam, Elamkulam, Poonithura, Thrikkakara North, Edappally South and Aluva West villages.

It is decided that the contribution from the Union government would be 20.26 per cent of the total project cost which works out to be 1,002.23 crore.