Kochi Metro update

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be the implementing agency of the Kochi Metro project. “The cabinet meeting formalized the proposal today,” said chief minister Oommen Chandy at a post-cabinet press briefing. The decision will ensure the leadership of E Sreedharan in the project. Later, Chandy announced the decision at the board meeting of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited and said he would convey the decision to the DMRC soon. At the KMRL board meeting, it was decided to speed up land acquisition for the project. The chief minister has asked the district collector to ensure that reasonable price is given to land owners whose land is acquired and that the acquisition is completed without any complaints. The meeting also reviewed the report on the preliminary work presented by KMRL managing director Tom Jose. The managing director informed the meeting that the number of Metro stations would be reduced to 22 from the 23 originally planned. He also said Cusat had been asked to conduct a detailed study on the possible parking facility at each of the stations.