Metro rail: Minister flays Plan panel

KOCHI: The objections levelled by the Planning Commission to deny permission to execute the Kochi metro-rail project as a joint venture between the State and Central Governments are deplorable, M. Vijayakumar, the Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Railways has said.

He was reacting to the stand taken by the Commission on Monday, which is diametrically opposite to the decision taken by it over a year ago in which it had given the nod for the project on the lines of the Delhi metro-rail.

The Commission had on Monday reportedly objected to the Central Government extending financial support to the State for the project. The Union Finance Ministry too had earlier objected to the State Governments proposal, despite the Union Urban Affairs Ministry, the State Government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation demanding that the project be implemented with Central help.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Vijayakumar said that the Commissions suggestion to rope in private players to execute the project is unfeasible in Kochi.