The government and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRC) on Tuesday decided to stick to the June 2016 target for commissioning the 18-km Reach I extending from Aluva to Maharajah’s College, part of the first phase of the Kochi Metro Rail.
Land acquisition and funds will not be a hurdle to commission the stretch as per the target set by the DMRC.
Reach I of the 25-km first phase of the Kochi metro from Aluva passes through Kalamassery, Edapally, Palarivattom, Kaloor, M.G. Road to reach Maharajah’s College.
“In fact, we are thinking of commissioning the 18 km well ahead of the June 2016 deadline,” Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed said after a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and attended by Principal Adviser, DMRC, E. Sreedharan at the Secretariat here to sort out issues.
Mr. Chandy also made the government’s stance clear at the meeting stating that the June 2016 deadline had to be achieved and delay in works would not be condoned.
Admitting that there were hurdles, the Minister said the meeting decided to expedite land acquisition and widening of roads for the smooth progress of works.
He said 90 per cent of land acquisition issues pertaining to Sreematty, Malabar Gold, and Oriental Timbers were solved at the meeting.
Land for piers
Land for 800 of the 818 piers and 12 of the 16 entry/exit points to overhead stations had been handed over, Mr. Aryadan said explaining the pace of land acquisition achieved by the district administration for the Mission 676 project.
“A meeting of rolling stock suppliers has been called on January 12 followed by a review meeting the next day so that clearance can be given to the rolling stock manufacturers,” he said.
Kochi metro would not be delayed even by a minute on account of funds, he said, adding that the Cabinet had given clearance to take Rs.470 crore as loan from banks on the basis of an annuity scheme being worked out by the Finance Department.
Mr. Sreedharan said oscillation trials could commence in 10 km in March 2016, which would be followed by trials and mandatory certification by the Safety Commissioner.
Trials could commence on any stretch in Reach I once the rolling stock was supplied.
Chief Secretary E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, K.M. Abraham, Additional Chief Secretary and MD, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., Elias George, and top officials of the DMRC attended the meeting.
Adhere to deadline, says Chief Minister
Oscillation trials to begin in March: Sreedharan
