DMRC Signs Agreement for Trivandrum & Kozhikode Metro Projects

Exactly two months after the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s approval, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has signed an agreement with the Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) to provide interim consultancy services for kick-starting the Trivandrum & Kozhikode metro projects! As per the agreement, DMRC will receive Rs 6 crore (.01% of the project cost) as a consultancy fee.

The DMRC’s role here will be similar to their past role in Lucknow and current role in Nagpur & Vijayawada where the metro projects are coming along quiet nicely. Until a formal consultant is appointed, they will help in kick-starting the land acquisition & utility shifting process and prepare designs for flyovers, traffic diversions and ultimately the bid documents for civil construction, signalling & rolling stock.

S D Sharma from DMRC & Sheik Pareed from KRTC exchanging signed copies of the agreement – Photo Copyright: India Press

DMRC’s Metro Bhawan HQs on Fire Brigade Lane, Barakhamba area in Delhi – Photo Copyright: Pioneerwest

Another view of the Raj Rewal designed building – Photo Copyright: Raj Rewal

The 21.82 km metro line from Technocity to Karamana in Trivandrum with 19 stations is estimated to cost Rs. 4,219 crore while the 13.33 km metro line from Medical College to Meenchanda in Kozhikode with 14 stations is estimated to cost Rs. 2,509 crore. As per DMRC’s principal advisor E Sreedharan, once the government provides a clear right-of-way, the Kozhikode project will be operational in 4 years while the one in Trivandrum will take 5 years.

With this agreement signed, the DMRC will now get right to work and start preparing the design for 4 flyovers in Trivandrum and 1 in Kozhikode, so that construction on them can be carried out ASAP to prevent road-blocks for motor vehicles during the metro’s construction.

For more updates on Metro projects from India, check out the Home Page of The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG