THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It seems that there is no end to the ambiguity surrounding a colossal project like light metro for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. Primarily, uncertainty still looms over the second letter that has been written to the Centre by the state government regarding the project. The role of the DMRC is yet to be defined. And the question is whether the second letter contains any mention of DMRC’s role.
Though confusion exists regarding this matter, many see the sanction given to the detailed project report (DPR) as a bold step. “Earlier, there was confusion regarding whether the DPR was acknowledged by the government or not. But after many hiccups, it finally got approval. We are actually looking forward to receiving the official documents in this regard,” sources associated with the project said.
When contacted, DMRC sources said, “There has not been any intimation from the government regarding its role in the project. We are yet to get any official communication.”
A month ago, though there were reports that the DPR had received sanction, but to everybody’s dismay, the Cabinet note said just the opposite. And it was on last Wednesday that the DPR of the project actually got the approval. “There was a delay. But it finally got approved. That’s why we consider it as a major step,” sources said.
At the same time, they also pointed out that not redefining the role of E Sreedharan, principal advisor to DMRC, was a matter of huge concern. “The project needs a personality like him. We believe that the government will take the project ahead with Sreedharan at the helm,” the sources said.
The GO concerning the sanctioning of the DPR has to be released within two days after the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, KPCC president V M Sudheeran urged the government to entrust the light metro project to Sreedharan. “Clarity should be brought about in this matter and measures should be initiated to commence the project at the earliest,” he said. This is the second time the KPCC president has come out in support of Sreedharan. Earlier, he had written a letter asking the government to implement the project exclusively under it. Like Sreedharan, he was against implementing the project under PPP model.
V Sivankutty MLA also lashed out at the government, saying that the Chief Minister is hoodwinking the people on light metro. “An administrative sanction has been given out of vacuum. The government needs to specify the role of DMRC, whose opinions should be given due consideration,’’ he said.