The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Minister rules out Delhi model for Kochi metro

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Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009
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Kerala - Kochi

Minister rules out Delhi model for Kochi metro

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Kochi metro railway project cannot be implemented along the lines of the Delhi metro where the Central government had a major stake, said Vayalar Ravi, the Union Minister for Overseas Indians Affairs, here on Monday.

Taking part in the meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, Mr. Ravi said the Central government supported the Delhi project as it was implemented in the national capital. The Prime Minister himself had made the stand clear to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Railway Ministers when they met him earlier, Mr Ravi said.

The Central government had cleared the Kochi project and the last UDF government in the State had even invited the Expression of Interest for its implementation. The process was stalled following the announcement of the election.

Yet, the State Railway Minister M. Vijayakumar alleged that the Centre had not cleared the project.

vThe LDF government could not take the project further, he said.

However, the allegations of Mr. Vijayakumar that the Centre had not cleared the project were wrong and politically motivated, he said.

The LDF government wanted the project to be implemented with the support of the Central government. The cities which have opted for metro railway projects were implementing them on their own.

The Central government will have to consider the country as a whole and cannot support Kerala alone for the implementation of the metro project, Mr. Ravi said.

The State government should initiate discussions on the mode in which the project can be implemented, he said.

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