THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd (KRTCL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the state government to execute light metro projects in the state, has placed the proposal mooted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) expressing an interest to be the interim consultant for the projects to the state government for its approval.
KRTCL Managing Director P I Sheik Pareeth told DC that the proposal had been submitted before the Board chaired by the Chief Minister for approval. He said that the Centre was giving top priority for mass rapid transit systems.
“The Centre is giving viability gap funding up to 20 percent for such projects and the only condition is that the Centre would be contributing equal percentage of funds as allotted by the State,” said Mr Pareeth.
He said that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy along with DMRC Principal Advisor E Sreedharan and PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju will be meeting the Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu by October first week.
The CM has proposed three dates – October 5, 6 and 8 for the meeting. “We are waiting for a response from the Centre. The meeting is crucial and we expect full support from the Centre,” said Mr Sheik Pareeth.
The state has officially written to the government seeking 20 percent funds for executing the projects. The proposed light metro projects are expected to cost around Rs 6728 crores.
