The government is committed to implementing the Light Metro project in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, but only with the Centre’s clearance, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
On Friday, replying to notice on an adjournment motion of K.Muraleedharan in the Assembly on the problems that will arise on Delhi Metro Rail Corporation opting out of the project, Mr.Vijayan said the fiscal condition of the State was not conducive enough to meet the ₹1,728-crore investment needed for the project. Hence, the government was awaiting the approval of the Central government.
The State government had not shown any disrespect to DMRC Principal Adviser E. Sreedharan and was willing to meet him again if needed, Mr. Vijayan said. The government and Mr. Sreedharan were on the same track, but the latter insisted on starting the preparatory work before securing the Central nod. The government was not willing to do so.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala accused the government of systematically attempting to remove Mr.Sreedharan from the projects.
Walkout
Speaker P.Sreeramakrishnan denied notice for the motion and the Opposition, including the BJP’s O.Rajagopal, walked out in protest.
