The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today has urged the state government to adequately compensate the commercial and industrial establishments functioning in the areas falling under the Kochi metro rail project for the loss being suffered by them owing to the metro rail works.
KCCI director KN Marzook said the state government had not kept the promises given by the chief minister to the KCCI in this regard. Addressing a press conference here today, he pointed out the metro's alignment from Aluva to Thripunithura was unscientific and will destroy the commercial hub of the state. However, authorities concerned have ignored the warnings of the KCCI, he added.
The business community in the Kochi metro rail project area is now passing through troubled times--sales have dropped and the turnover had decreased sharply. But the state sales tax authorities are assuming no affect on the business community, he said.
"They seem to be unaware of the fall in sales owing to the traffic problems and lack of parking facilities thrown up by the metro work. There is no change in the expenditure of the commercial and industrial establishments. In fact, the expenditure has gone up," said Marzook.
The KCCI, therefore, has demanded a relief in electricity and water charges to business establishments affected by the metro rail works.
