Union Cabinet's approval for the proposed Rs 5,146 crore Kochi Metro Rail project was expected soon, the Kerala High Court was informed Wednesday.Stating this in an affidavit, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) Managing Director Tom Jose submitted the project would be placed before the Union Cabinet for its final approval after a meeting of the Planning and Investment Board scheduled in the coming week.
He also said the 25.6 km metro rail alignment had been finalised in such a manner that land acquisition and demolitions would be 'minimal'. An appropriate rehabilitation package was being designed by the Kerala Government, it was submitted in the affidavit filed on a petition seeking a direction to restrain implementation of the project till alternative routes for traffic diversion were put in place.
The Planning Commission had given an in-principle approval to the project after taking into consideration all necessary factors under the Environmental Protection Act, he stated. The project was expected to serve over three million people, Jose said adding it was justified for Kochi due to its peculiar type of development, waterways, low lying areas and heavy development.
It envisages a 15 per cent equity participation by the Union Government. This would help in expediting financial assistances and clearance required for implementing the project and expansion in future, he said.
The affidavit also said the revised cost of the project was Rs 5,146 crore and without equity participation, it would be difficult to implement it successfully. About 31.9216 hectares was required for the project.
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