Central clearance for Kochi metro likely by month-end

The Centre is expected to give final clearance to the Kochi metro rail project by the end of this month, Mr Tom Jose, managing director, KMRL, has said.

The Cabinet note for the project is being prepared and sent for PMO’s approval. The project is expected to be cleared after the Prime Minister returns from foreign tour, he told reporters here on Tuesday.

Funding

The Centre and the State government would share 15 per cent each of the equity component while 70 per cent would be the debt portion, of which 45 per cent is being contributed by the Japan Investment Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The logo of the Kochi Metro – Komet – will be released by the Chief Minster, Mr Oommen Chandy, on June 30.

To a question, Mr Jose said all efforts would be made to complete the project in four years’ time. “The metre starts from the date of Cabinet clearance. We will try to reduce the time frame,” he said.

After the Central clearance, he said reconstitution of the board would be essential as it is a State-owned public sector company at present. There is a need to include Central Government directors in the board. A tripartite agreement between the Centre, the State Government and Kochi Metro has to be drawn up.

“This model is being followed in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore metros,” Mr Jose said.

First phase

The first phase of the project, a mass rapid transport system running on elevated light rail, covers 25.612 km long Aluva-Pettah corridor, which will have 22 stations. Each metro train will have three cars initially each with a capacity of 200 passengers, he said.

The company is also looking at extension of Kochi Metro once it receives the first set of approvals. A ridership survey will be conducted shortly to find out the areas to be extended, Mr Jose said and added that there are several suggestions to extend the project to Angamally, Kakkanad, Tripunithura, Info Park etc.

However, Mr Jose said that the project’s extension to West Kochi would be expensive. “We are looking at integrating boat service with Metro as part of the National Transportation Policy which suggests integration of various modes of transport,” he said.

‘No rift with DMRC’

Denying any rift with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on the project, Mr Jose said, “DMRC is a valued partner in this project and we work as a team. We are taking their service in design, tendering, consultancy and expertise.”

He also said that there are plans to set up a dedicated police force for Kochi Metro to handle emergency situations. The modalities in this regard will be worked out soon, he added.

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