THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan alleged that the move to remove Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and E Sreedharan from the Kochi metro rail project was a planned move to indulge in corruption in the future.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, Achuthanandan said that Sreedharan’s vast experience in the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro should be utilised by the state.
“Sreedharan had strived hard to prepare the plan for Kochi Metro and to get the clearance from the Central Government. He is the soul of the Kochi Metro project. The previous LDF Government had envisaged the Rs 150 crore metro project under the leadership of Sreedharan. DMRC office was started in Kochi and Rs 50 crore was allotted for the project and the work had started on a war-footing,” he said.
He said that, now when the stage is set for the implementation of the project, the State Government does not want either DMRC or Sreedharan.
“The State Government wants to give the Rs 1,000 crore global tender at its own will. This would provide a chance for corruption on a huge level. Even the account for the project has been opened in a new generation bank. Though there was opposition against this move in the Assembly, a sum of Rs 10 core was deposited in that account the other day. The move to avoid DMRC is aimed at privatisation of the project,” said Achuthanandan. He said that the ambitious Delhi metro rail project was implemented successfully by Sreedharan without any allegation of corruption in the project. “If DMRC is not given the project, the Kochi metro project may face undue delay,” he added.