With the Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath officially announcing that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) would undertake the work of Kochi Metro Rail, the authorities are planning to speed up the procedures to ensure that the proposed Rs 5,182-crore project is implemented in a time-bound manner.
Stating that the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the SPV which will manage and operate the Kochi Metro Rail, is happy to associate with the DMRC and E Sreedharan, KMRL managing director Elias George said a sub-committee will be formed soon to finalise the clauses to be included in the Memorandum of Association (MoU) between KMRL and DMRC.
“We are planning to ink the MoU within a month. The sub-committee will negotiate the clauses with the DMRC. The panel will be headed by KMRL managing director along with two or three board members,” Elias George said.
As per the terms of engagement announced on Tuesday, the DMRC will be entrusted with the task of floating tenders, bidding and construction supervision.
“The DMRC Delhi office can finalise tenders above Rs 5 crore up to Rs 50 crore. Meanwhile, a tender committee, including a member from KMRL, will approve tenders above Rs 50 crore,” he added.
Capacity Building
Taking into account the necessity to expand Metro Rail service to the suburbs in the next phase, KMRL will also look into an effective capacity-building exercise. “Our manpower requirement assessed and approved by the board is 81. We are planning to fill the remaining vacancies in a prioritised manner. We have already appointed a director (projects) and director (finance). A chief vigilance officer will be roped in soon to monitor the financial deals and a systems director will also be appointed soon,” Elias George added.
Workshop
The KMRL will organise a one-day workshop for various stake holders in the city. “With the official announcement on Tuesday, the apprehensions over the implementation are cleared. So, now the city needs to be aligned in tune with the proposed Kochi Metro. Metro Rail is a complex technology in which electronic, mechanical and civic works unite. Hence, it is necessary to clarify the doubts of the public and various stake holders of the city’s development,” Elias George added.
He said the workshop will be attended by civic administrators, representatives from development agencies including Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), representatives of business bodies and resident’s associations and other well-wishers of the project. The sessions will be led by representatives of various other Metro Rail Corporations and technical experts.