Light metro finally for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode

Thiruvananthapuram: The proposed light metro rail projects for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode have received the green signal from the state government.

The board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday gave the mandatory nod to the detailed project report submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The board has also decided to rechristen the Kerala Monorail Corporation Ltd (KMCL) as Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC).

PWD Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju told reporters that DMRC would start the civil work of the light metro projects within four months of the cabinet approval.

Chief Minister Oomen Chandy has instructed the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) to go ahead with the proposed ring road project starting from Marine Drive.

The 64 km long ring road will be a major traffic corridor which will pass through coastal areas like Vaduthala, Kadamakkudi, Cheranallor and Varapuzha and crossing NH 17, the Container road, the NH 47, Sea Port Airport Road and finally meeting the NH 47 at Kumbalam.

Since vast areas of backwaters have to be reclaimed for constructing the first phase, Marine Drive to Vaduthala, the project is yet to get environmental clearance.

The proposal is to complete the project in five phases and the estimated cost for the first phase is Rs 360 cr.

The GCDA has proposed to construct the first stretch on pillars to avoid massive reclamation of backwaters.