With the shortage in construction aggregate taking a heavy toll on the timely implementation of the Kochi Metro Rail project, the Urban Development Ministry is planning to introduce an alternative for river sand that is in short supply, according to Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Addressing the media after reviewing the progress of the Rs.5,182-crore project, Mr. Naidu said the project was expected to be completed within the prescribed time-schedule and original cost estimates. “To enable the speedy implementation of the project, we intend to raise the availability of gypsum for construction purposes. Further, a study will be initiated to seek whether any alternative material can be used instead of river sand, which is in short supply these days,” the Minister said.
On the proposed second phase extension of the metro to Kochi airport and Kakkanad, the Minister said the government was ready to consider the proposal, but only after working out its viability and financial feasibility. “We are yet to get the detailed project report on the second phase expansion. Once it comes up, we will duly consider the proposal and will approve it after verifying the details and facts,” he said. Along with this, a Rs.52.8-crore proposal submitted by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited to revive water transport in Kochi would also be taken up for consideration. He said the expansion of the metro would help many people across the State.
On metro works, the Minister said the project developer was executing their job in a good manner though it had been causing some hardships to the public as well as the business community.
Metro networksThe Union government was considering a proposal to expand its urban metro system by launching metro rail networks in all cities with one million-strong population, Mr. Naidu said.
The idea is to bring more cities under the national urban metro network. “At present, metro rail projects are being allotted only to cities with a population of 20 lakh or more. We are now thinking about scaling down the norm to 10 lakh and above to help decongest more cities,” he said.
During the meeting, Ernakulam MP K.V. Thomas pointed out that the Centre had so far given only Rs.400 crore as against Rs.800 crore sought as equity this year. The Minister agreed to consider this favourably and take it up with the Ministry of Finance.
A team led by Kochi Metro Rail Limited Managing Director Elias George made a presentation on the project’s progress.
