Title - Kochi Metro gets ok, protests over land

New Delhi/Kochi : The Metro rail for Kochi in Kerala has got the cabinet's approval, it was announced Wednesday, even as protests erupted in the city against land acquisition for the project. A number of people took to the streets in Kochi Wednesday accusing Kochi Metro of not discussing with them the land to be acquired. "The officials come and go but are yet to give us a clear picture on how much land is going to be acquired and where. We stopped them from doing their work today," said A.V. Sabu, who led the demonstrators. The Kerala government expects the land to be acquired for the project in a year's time, according to Mohandas Pillai, the official in-charge of land. In New Delhi, Home Minister P. Chidamabaram said the network will cover 25 km and have 23 stations. The total cost of the project would be Rs.5,181.79 crore. It is scheduled to be completed in four years. "It will be fully elevated and run from Alwaye to Petta on standard gauge," said Chidambaram. The central government's share will be Rs.1,002.23 crore and that of the Kerala government Rs.l,772.23 crore. External debt will be Rs.2,170 crore and state taxes will be Rs.237.33 crore. Former Delhi Metro chief E. Sreedharan has been entrusted with the work in Kochi