With Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) all set to operate and maintain the metro once commercial operations begin on Monday and also execute the Kakkanad extension of the project, the agency has evinced interest in having Metro Man E. Sreedharan as its principal advisor.
At present, Mr. Sreedharan is the Principal Advisor to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Speaking to The Hindu , KMRL Managing Director Elias George said he would request Mr. Sreedharan to offer his advice to the metro agency when the system of mass rapid transport was extended to suburban towns.
“I know he is too senior to be a functionary of KMRL. But we need the benefit of his wisdom, advice, and stature while extending the metro to places like Kakkanad. His expertise and vast project execution experience are unique,” Mr. George said.
Land acquisition
He reiterated that Sreedharan’s supervision of the Kochi metro had enabled speedy land acquisition along the entire corridor. “His involvement in the project was enough to assure land owners that the metro would be completed in a time-bound manner,” he added.
The involvement of the DMRC and Mr. Sreedharan in the Kochi metro project will end with its extension to Thripunithura. Mr. Sreedharan had expressed confidence in KMRL executing the metro’s Kakkanad and subsequent extensions.
