E Sreedharan, former managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), on Wednesday categorically said he would associate with the Kochi Metro Rail project only if the project is fully entrusted with DMRC.
The final decision in this regard will be taken on Thursday after consultation with Kerala chief minister Omen Chandy, he added. He had earlier clarified his stand to the chief minister when the two had met in Delhi on Tuesday.
“I am not interested to associate with the Kochi Metro unless DMRC is entrusted with the project. I have emotional attachment with the project. So I am ready to work for it even after my retirement. But the project should be fully given to DMRC,” he told mediapersons here.
He said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japanese financing agency of the project, had assured him that it would not insist on global tenders if DMRC was implementing the project.
Earlier, Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Tom Jose and some ministers had announced that a global tender would be invited for the project as JICA was insisting on it. This had created a political row in the state.
In Dec 2011, Kerala Public Works minister VK Ebrahim Kunju said work on Kochi metro would be awarded by global tender even though the initial ground work was started by DMRC.
The CPI(M) had accused the government of trying to oust DMRC from the project in order to pocket kickbacks. The Bharatiya Janata Party also said they believed the chief minister had a vested interest behind global tender.
However, on Tuesday, Chandy said Sreedharan would have the last word on the metro project. Explaining the state government's predicament, he said the low-interest loan offer from JICA for the project was something it could not afford to ignore. JICA was willing to extend the loan at an interest rate of 1.5 per cent on condition that Kochi Metro floats a global tender. DMRC, which is a consultant to the project, had expressed its wish that the project be allotted to it without any tender.
Sreedharan also said the project would be delayed by 12-15 months if Kochi Metro goes for global tender. He assured that the first phase of the project with a distance of 25 km and 23 stations would be completed within three years, provided DMRC was entrusted with the work. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,146 crore.
“As a person I cannot do anything. Team work is essential for the project and that could be ensured with DMRC in the project. KMRL has no previous experience in similar projects and they cannot assist me in any way. So there is no use in appointing me as an adviser or consultant. DMRC can start the work within two months,” he said.
DMRC is currently working on the demolition of the North overbridge and on the overbridge near the KSRTC bus station here. He alleged that KMRL and the state electricity board were not co-operating with DMRC in the ongoing ground works. DMRC had earlier decided to close down its office in Kochi after the completion of the work.
