Kochi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will not be involved in the construction of the second phase of Kochi Metro project from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Kakkanad and its role will end with completion of the metro extension till S N junction in Trippunithura, ‘Metroman’ E. Sreedharan said on Thursday. “We’re not needed for the second phase implementation. By now, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is equipped with implementation of the project all by itself,” he said while conducting the inspection of stations ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit on Saturday.
“DMRC will continue to help KMRL for completing the section from Maharaja's College to Petta which we hope to accomplish in the next 2.5 years, provided land is handed over immediately. We would also assist them for extending the Metro from Petta to SN Junction of Trippunithura, provided the approval for this extension is communicated to us early,” he told DC.
Meanwhile, Sreedharan sought to rest the controversies in connection with the initial exclusion of his name from the list of dignitaries who will share the dias with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Kochi Metro launch function on Saturday. “Don't make it into controversy. Security of Prime Minister is important, must follow what security agency says and I am not disappointed, he said. He, however, replied to a query that he would happily accept if an invitation is sent to include him among the dignitaries on the stage.
