Kerala to form Metro Rail Corporation: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government will form a body on the lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for implementing the proposed Kochi Metro Rail project in Ernakulam district.

Talking to newspersons after the cabinet meeting, he said the total cost of the 25 km rail route between Kochi and Thripunithura, would be Rs 3,000 crore.

It would be a joint venture of the state and the Centre, he added.

Mr Achuthanandan said the state would have 15 per cent share in the project and it would invest Rs 450 crore as its share, while the remaining fund for the project would be raised by the Centre and the DMRC.

The cabinet had given formal approval for the project, which would be handed over to the DMRC for implementation, he said, adding, the detailed project report would be submitted to the Centre soon.

The proposed rail line was expected to run through the city's important hubs, including Aluva, Kalamassery, Edappally, Palarivattom and Kaloor, and connect several suburbs like Tripunithura to arterial M G Road.

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