Kochi: The plan prepared by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd for the second phase of the Kochi Metro project is not feasible, says E.Sreedharan, principal advisor to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
At a meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday, Mr Sreedharan said that Rs 3,600 crore envisaged by the KMRL for the project was totally inadequate to meet the requirement.
Mr Sreedharan, whose DMRC, is executing the first phase of the Kochi Metro project, said the second phase of the project could not be completed with this amount.
The second phase of the project plans to extend the metro from Jawaharal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor to Info-park in Kakkanad.
The 11.2 km distance will have 11 stations. The first phase of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Petta, covering 25 km, is estimated to cost Rs 5,100 cr.
The second phase also included extension of the line from Petta to Trupunithura covering 1.5 km. The cost for this is Rs 420 cr.
Mr. Sreedharan also said the proposed Vizhinjam International Container Transshipment Terminal was unlikely to bring any economic benefit to the state.
He said the project would face the same fate as the Vallarpadam container terminal in Kochi.
Mr. Sreedharan also lashed out at ministers, saying that most of them spent time cutting ribbons instead of planning for long-term projects.
