Metro Man to have last word

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as uncertainty looms large over the association of former Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief E Sreedharan with the  Kochi Metro Rail project, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy underscored that the last word on it will be that of the ‘Metro Man’.“Sreedharan, who is a member of the State Planning Commission, is coming for a board meeting on January 12. A solution will come by then,” he said.Briefing reporters on the Cabinet decisions, Chandy said the government is of the view that the expertise and participation of a person like Sreedharan should be availed of by the state for not only the Kochi Metro, but other projects like the proposed high-speed rail corridor and basic infrastructure development schemes.“We are not experts. But we have a dream. To fulfil it, the co-operation, participation and leadership of persons like Sreedharan is essential,” Chandy said.“The approach of the UDF Govt is that development projects should not be mired in controversies. Not even a single day should be lost in implementation of a project,” he said.“In the case of the Kochi Metro project, people are hopeful now. Circumstances leading to the losing of its tempo cannot be allowed,” he said.Referring to the reported stance of Sreedharan that the work of the Kochi Metro should be entrusted to the DMRC, the Chief Minister said that the Japanese agency which has evinced interest in financing the project with a loan has laid a pre-condition that global tender is a must.“Both aspects have to be considered,” he said.Sam Pitroda, new mentor for the state’s development plans, will arrive here for discussions on January 25. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is also expected to visit the state two days prior to it.“The govt is keen that the services of  proven experts should benefit the state,” he asserted.