The mere approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Rs.6,728 crore Light Metro proposed for two cities in Kerala is not enough and “many knots needs to be untied to commence the work” for Mass Rapid Transit System, says Principal Adviser, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), E. Sreedharan.
“The approval granted by the government for the DPR submitted by us on October 8 last is not enough and everything revolves on funding and the Union Government’s approval,” Mr. Sreedharan told The Hindu over telephone from his home in Ponnani.
“The Centre’s approval came for Kochi Metro Rail after seven years and after intense lobbying. The Centre will be reluctant to make available the 20 per cent (Rs.1,278 crore) of the total cost as suggested by the Cabinet for Light Metro in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode,” the Metroman said responding to Cabinet’s nod to seek Centre’s nod for the project.
Mr. Sreedharan, who is also a State Planning Board member in charge of Transportation, said the State government has made a “good beginning” by approving the DPR. But, the Union government has its own views on the MRTS projects being executed.
He is of the view that the Light Metro mooted by ‘us’ instead of the monorail that was scrapped due to prohibitive cost is the best solution to solve traffic and transportation problems of the two cities. Going for a full-fledged Metro as in Kochi as suggested by the Finance Department will increase the cost further by 30 per cent and lead to massive land acquisition.
Mr. Sreedharan did not hide his unhappiness over the delay on the part of the State government in making available funds to create the requisite infrastructure for light metro.
