A meeting of people’s representatives of Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode here on Tuesday succeeded in clearing the concerns about the proposed elevated light metro project for the two cities.
The meeting was convened in the wake of apprehensions raised by legislators in the Assembly over the switchover from monorail, a form of MRTS, to light metro, and the technology and viability of the project.
Principal Adviser, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), E. Sreedharan made a presentation on the detailed project report prepared by the DMRC for the project to be executed in 35.12 km in the two cities and now under the consideration of the government.
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Mr. Sreedharan said the monorail project was abandoned as the cost per km came to Rs.381 crore compared to Rs.130 crore in the estimates.
There was only a lone bidder — Bombardier – even after global tenders were floated twice. Hitachi was interested only if it was funded by Japan. The third player, Scomi of Malaysia, did not have the technology and expertise and their project in Chembur-Wadala had not been successful.
A comparison between light metro and monorail that stressed on the systems, civil structures, deck and track followed.
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The route for Phase I, land acquisition, Rs.6,728 crore needed for completion by 2021, fare, funding options and way forward were spelt out. Light metro, being mooted for the first time in the country, can negotiate steep gradients up to 6 per cent and sharp curves of even 50 m radius, he said.
Mr. Sreedharan also cleared apprehensions raised by legislators Palode Ravi, V. Sivankutty, and A. Pradeep Kumar on the CVC guidelines, bidding, real estate development, expertise of the DMRC and why foreign firms were not being roped in for consultancy and the DMRC was doing all the work.
The MLAs said it was for the government to take the call and that they want the project to go forward after plugging all loopholes.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the DMRC was dependable and that the Kochi metro and other projects have shown it.
Public Works Minister V. K. Ebrahim Kunju said the DMRC has the expertise and all issues will be looked into.