Centre may entend metro link to Kakkanad in Phase II of the project
File picture of a Kochi metro rail. (Photo: DC)
Kochi: The Centre would consider extending the Metro Rail to Kakkanad in Phase II of the project, Union minister for urban development and parliamentary affairs, Venkaiah Naidu assured on Wednesday after reviewing the progress of the Metro in the city.
He was responding to a request by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director, Elias George for the Centre’s support to extend the Metro to Tripunithura and Kakkanad. The minister also promised to consider allocating an additional Rs 400 crore to help the Kochi Metro meet its total budgetary requirement of Rs 879.22 crore for the current year .
As for the Rs 52 crore water transport project submitted by the KMRL to his ministry, Mr Naidu said since the JNNURM no longer existed, it would be considered under a new scheme that would be announced soon.
The KMRL , meanwhile, presented him with yet anther plan to develop an eco-friendly Smart City on 18 acres of land at Kakkanad. The minister seemed satisfied with the progress of the construction of the Metro Rail and hoped it would be completed within the deadline given without overshooting its estimated cost. Member of Parliament, K.V. Thomas and senior officials of the KMRL and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation participated in the review meeting.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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