With controversy brewing over the Kerala Government's proposal to go in for global tender for the Rs 5,000-crore Kochi Metro project, another Union Minister has come out in favour of the project, being executed under the aegis of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and its former head Mr E. Sreedharan.
The Kochi Metro project was first mooted during the tenure of Mr A.K. Antony when he was the Chief Minister.
The Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, Prof. K.V. Thomas, told reporters here he personally felt DMRC should be asked to undertake the project and that Mr Sreedharan should oversee it.
The Minister said the Planning Commission Vice-Chairman, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, is expected to be here on January 11 and 12, after which a decision would be taken on the project.
Prof. Thomas urged the State Government to complete the project transparently and added that Infopark at Kakkanad has also sought extension of the Metro project to the IT hub.
The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi, had told reporters at Kannur on Sunday that his personal view was that the Government should enlist the co-operation of DMRC and Mr Sreedharan to execute such a major project.