Even as the state government made it clear that it wants E. Sreedharan and the DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) to carry out the Kochi metro project, there’s been a great deal of pressure on the latter to withdraw from the `5,182 crore project.
“Now there is a need for political intervention… the Delhi government, which is extending the metro network to 400 km, has concern over manpower if the DMRC takes up Kochi metro too. Chief minister Oommen Chandy is flying to Delhi on Sunday to meet Kamal Nath (Urban Development Minister ) and Sheila Dixit”, said minister K. Babu when asked whether the state was sure of the DMRC’s nod.
On the urban development ministry reportedly acting against the interest of the state, he said: “The control of such bodies is not in the hands of the state. The (state) transport minister has already written to the ministry conveying the state cabinet’s decision”.
Meanwhile, the crucial DMRC board meet on Nov. 15 has been postponed to Nov. 27
He had made it clear he would need the technical and manpower expertise of DMRC in carrying out
the work and that he can’t do it alone”.
Minister K.Babu too said the government had not yet thought of such a situation. “We’ll think of it if the situation (DMRC withdrawing from the project) arises.” He accused the opposition of spreading the propaganda that the government was against DMRC.
“They failed to do anything during their five-year rule and now want to show the government in a poor light through protests like the human chain,” he said