After seven long years of wait, the stage is set for the Kochi Metro Rail project to take concrete shape. Realising a long-cherished dream of Kochiites, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for Kochi Metro at the Marine Drive grounds at 10.15 am on Thursday.
Leaders from all sides of the political divide and from the state and Central governments will attend the function. Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath and Defence Minister A K Antony will represent the Centre. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed and Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan among others will also be present. The area will see heavy security cover during the PM’s visit.
There will be a special control room at the venue where 50 surveillance cameras have been installed.
About 1000 police personnel, 100 members of the Indian Reserve Battalion, a Quick Reaction unit and Kerala Police commando unit ‘Thunderbolt’ have been deployed.
Traffic diversion
The traffic will be restricted for three hours in parts of the city as part of the function. Traffic will be diverted from 9.15 am to 12.15 am from Willingdon Island to DCC Junction, Old Thevara Road, Foreshore Road, Warriam road, Divan’s Road, Durbar Hall Road, Park Avenue Road and Shanmugham Road. Parking will also be banned in these areas till Thursday afternoon.