KOCHI: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday took a surprise ride on Kochi Metro from Maharaja's College to Edappally and back. He boarded the train from Maharaja's station by 10.30 am.
During the ride, the minister who played a crucial role in his capacity as Union minister for urban development in realising the project enquired about the average ridership of the mass transit system.
The Vice-President also asked about the alternative revenue sources. D. K. Sinha, director (systems) of Kochi Metro Rail Limited briefed about the expansion plans.
Mr Naidu also interacted with the passengers and asked about the comfort and facilities in the Metro. Mathew T, Thomas, Kerala minister for water resources, DGP Lokanath Behera, K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla, district collector, Vijay Sakare, IG, Kochi Range, M. P. Dinesh, city police commissioner and other officials accompanied him.
It was during the term of Mr Naidu in urban development ministry that it achieved critical milestones like the construction of coaches at Alstom factory at Sri City and the first trial run in February 2016.
