PM to Lay Foundation Stone for Kochi Metro Rail Project

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 5,100 crore Kochi Metro Rail Project on Thursday.The project linking the 25 km Aluva-Pettah stretch will be executed by theDelhi Metro Rail Corporation. However, it is yet to sign an MoU on the division of work between the two agencies -- DMRC and KMRL.The project is implemented with equity participation from the Centre, which will invest Rs 1,002 crore, about 19.3 per cent of the project costs. The State Government will put in Rs 2,009 crore, 38.7 per cent of the cost. The balance will be financed through borrowings, mainly from Japan International Cooperation Agency which will provide Rs 2,170 crore.The Board of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd which met here on Tuesday said it will review the detailed project report to examine if the project could be extended to suburbs.The first phase of the project, a mass rapid transport system, running on elevated light rail covers 25 km, and will have 22 stations. Each Metro train will have three cars initially with a capacity of 200 passengers.

It is pointed out that the proposed project is expected to ease road congestion and enhance the quality of life for the people in the city. With the clearance given by the Centre, the Kochi Metro is expected run by 2016.The Union Cabinet has cleared the public transport project for Kochi.

Home Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram informed that the project will be executed by a special purpose vehicle of the Government of India and the Government of Kerala. The Centre and the State Government will have 50:50 equity in the SPV.The total cost is estimated at Rs 5,181.79 crore. It will cover a total length of 25.612 km. There will be 23 stations. It will be fully elevated and will run from Alwaye to Petta on standard gauge. The project will be completed in four years from the date of implementation.In the total project cost, the Union Government's share will be Rs 1,002.23 crore while the State will contribute Rs 1,772,23 crore.The State Government will also bear the state taxes amounting Rs 237.33 crore.Mr Chidambaram added that the Japanese Government agency JICA will provide an external debt worth Rs 2, 170 crore.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is looking forward transform stations into green zones by tapping solar power. The initiative marks the governmentâEUR(TM)s keenness to reduce dependence on non-renewable sources of power.
As part of this initiative, Delhi Metro, in consultation with Delhi government, is planning to install solar panels at the Karkardooma and Noida sector-21 metro stations, said a DMRC spokesperson.
The solar panels will also be installed at the Yamuna Bank depot. The initiative comes on the heels of a special environmental drive that is being launched by Delhi Metro chief, Mangu Singh, on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5.

The drive will include training of Delhi Metro officials in environmental awareness and environmental protection procedures in day to day metro operations, said the Delhi Metro official.
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