Bijimon Punnoose, general manager heading the Kochi Metro Rail Limited’s (KMRL) ₹747-crore Water Metro project, has submitted his resignation at a time when specifications and tenders for procuring boats and other aspects of the project are in the final stage. Mr. Punnoose has cited personal reasons and has opted to return to the United States, KMRL sources said.
His resignation comes at a time when delay has been reported in acquiring land for 36 jetties from government departments such as Irrigation and Tourism. There is also delay in finalising specifications for the 78 modern ferries that would be procured for the project that will provide connectivity between mainland Ernakulam and islands located in the Greater Kochi area, it is learnt.
Responding to the resignation of the key official, KMRL managing director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said a new person would be recruited to the post.
