Title - Manmohan launches Kochi Metro rail project

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he hoped Kochi would evolve as “an important economic and logistics hub” of the country.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Kochi Metro rail project at the Ernakulam Marine Drive on Thursday, Mr. Singh said the city had emerged as one of the most important ports of the county with the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam becoming operational.

The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone in the presence of Union Ministers A.K. Antony, K.C. Venugopal, E. Ahamed, Vayalar Ravi, Mullapally Ramachandran, K.V. Thomas, Kerala governor H.R. Bharadwaj, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State Minister Aryadan Muhammad.

The Central government has sanctioned six projects for Kochi under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission with a total cost of over Rs. 509 crore. The Central share for these projects would be more than Rs. 254 crore.

Mr. Singh pointed out that the transport infrastructure of the city was “under severe stress, with the demand for travel rising steeply in recent years. The Metro would provide Kochi with a modern mass transport system, making it convenient for the residents to commute and also facilitating Kochi’s overall social and economic development,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the State government was doing everything possible for the development of Kochi which “has a proud history.” Mr. Singh hoped that the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation would build the Metro efficiently, and produce a rail network of the highest quality in the quickest possible time.