KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which will merge with the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Kerala Rapid Transit Limited (KRTL), has yet to choose a metro model for the capital city, which will result in a delay to the Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro project.
The Center told the state government that one company is preferable to manage the metro projects in the state, and KMRL is now carrying out the project. The cabinet’s decision on the KMRL-KRTL merger is anticipated to be made in the upcoming week. The construction of flyovers at Sreekariyam under KRTL, however, is already underway and is anticipated to start this year.
The proposed metro concept for Thiruvananthapuram would only be communicated to the state government in a suitable manner by the federal government before the project can move further.
“We will move forward and approach the Center for additional steps, including the metro model, which is to be implemented after the state government releases an order following the cabinet decision on the merger,” as stated by Loknath Behera, MD of KMRL.
The Union government first suggested Metro Lite rather than Light Metro. Metro Lite hasn’t been used anywhere yet, making its implementation an experiment, so the state government is opposed to it.
“A decision will shortly be made regarding the merger. Even when a option has been decided, it still needs to be presented before the cabinet meeting and a formal order must be given. Therefore, we anticipate the decision in the upcoming cabinet meeting,” stated by MLA V K Prasanth, in-charge of the planned Pattom flyover project.
The Pattom flyover would be constructed under the direction of KMRL in three months, stated Prasanth. Phase I of the projected Light Metro, which would require building a 21.8 km route from Pallipuram to Karamana, would cost around $46.73 billion, according to estimates from the Public Works Department.
