Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that further steps on the Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram light metro will be taken after the Central clearance for the projects.
Mr Vijayan, who was replying to an adjournment notice given by Mr K. Muraleedharan of the Congress on Friday, said that the only differences between the state government and DMRC principal adviser E. Sreedharan was that the government wanted to start the projects after getting the Centre’s clearance. On the other hand, Mr Sreedharan was of the opinion that the works could be started even before getting sanction, he said. The state could not go ahead with the projects without the Centre’s clearance as it involved financial liability, he said.
However, the government had always recognised Mr Sreedharan's expertise and role in building up infrastructure in the country.
While referring to Mr Sreedharan’s remark at a press meet that the chief minister did not give an audience for discussing the projects, Mr Vijayan admitted that he could not meet him due to some engagements. “However, that was not due to any disrespect to him. I am ready to meet Sreedharan again,” Mr Vijayan said.
The new metro policy of the Centre had forced the state to make changes in the detailed project report. The revised report is under the examination of a committee headed by the finance secretary. The DPR would be submitted to the centre after the state government approved it, Mr Vijayan said.
The Opposition walked out of the Assembly after Speaker P. Sreeramakrishan denied permission for motion. The Opposition slammed the government saying that the DMRC was being kept out for facilitating corruption.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala who raised doubts over the state government's move to float global tenders for the project wanted the chief minister to hold talks with Mr Sreedharan and sort out the problems and engage DMRC for implementing the projects.
Mr Muraleedharan, who sought leave for the motion, reminded the CPM of the human-chain agitation held by them in support of Mr Sreedharan and DMRC during the previous UDF rule when reports came that there was a move to avoid Mr Sreedharan from the Kochi Metro project.
