Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Principal Advisor E Sreedharan has said all tendering procedures for the Kochi metro rail work will be completed by December.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Kochi Metro rail construction on Friday.
“Already, all the civil work tenders have been floated. The tender procedures for signaling, traction and rolling stock will be completed by December,” the metroman said. Tender procedures for advanced civil works for the Kochi metro will be completed soon.
Sreedharan has assured that the work of the Kochi metro will be completed within three years.
“We are confident that we will be able to finish the first phase of the Kochi metro project within three years. We hope that we will be able to carry out our work everyday without any hindrance,” he said.
“When it was finalised this January that DMRC would be taking over the Kochi metro rail project, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had asked me when the work for the metro would start. I assured him that we could start the it within five months. I am glad that this has been made possible today,” Sreedharan said.
He urged the public to bear with the construction work and the related hassles that they may have to undergo at various stages in the next three years.
“We are striving to reduce the possible hindrances especially wherever the work is being undertaken. However, a certain portion of the road will be taken up for the work,” he added. P Rajeeve MP urged the state government to ensure that all possible delay for the metro rail construction is avoided.
“Even though the metro rail project was sanctioned in July and the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister on September, it took nine months for the work to begin because of the controversies that had surrounded the project. It is time we work unitedly for the smooth functioning of the project,” he said.
He added that if Tripunithura is made the terminus station for the metro, it would be more financially viable.
He also urged the state government to take necessary steps to mitigate traffic issues for the public in the next three years during the construction of the metro.
“Two to three MEMU trains should be introduced. Also, people’s representatives should strive to get more halts for trains at Tripunithura, Edappally and Kalamassery. Also, the final decision to construct the four-laned RoB at South should be immediately taken,” he said.
Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies K V Thomas urged the government to consider the expansion of metro to Vypeen, Paravoor, Thrikkakara and Fort Kochi. Also, Angamaly-Thodupuzha and Aroor-Kudungaloor routes should be considered, he said.