Kochi Metro rail project to start next month

Rs 3,048-crore Kochi Metro rail project

Civil work on Rs 3,048-crore Kochi Metro Rail is slated to get cracking next month(April 2008). The Elevated Light Rail Kochi Metro PPP would be ready for public use in three years, according to M Vijayakumar, Kerala minister in charge of rail transport.

“Only about 26 hectares of land (as the rail in elevated) will be required. Of this 16 acres is of private ownership. Within a year, the necessary land acquisition can be completed,” Vijayakumar told the Assembly in reply to a question.

It is DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) that’s implementing the Kochi public transport PPP through a SPV (special purpose vehicle).

The Kerala governement had earlier decided to put 15% equity (Rs 450 crore) in the new entity.

Kochi Metro rail is planned in the 26 km stretch between Tripunithura and Aluva. “We have noticed that the width of National Highway may get affected when the concrete pillars are set up for the elevated light rail.

Some technical solution for this problem will be thrashed out soon,” the minister said.

Source