DMRC Likely to Execute Project

 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If things go as planned, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will execute the prestigious monorail project in the capital city. Transport and Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed told Express that the Government would try to rope in the DMRC to execute the ` 5,099-crore project.  ‘’We have handed over the feasibility report prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) to the DMRC for an expert opinion. Once the government receives the DMRC report, we would inquire their willingness to execute the project,’’ the Minister said. The Government is also keen to avail of the services of ‘Metro Man’ Sreedharan, he added.   The Minister said that the first phase of the project would be opened as per schedule in January 2016. ‘’The Government is working on the modalities of forming the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project. The works will start in October this year as planned earlier,’’ he added.    The phase-I of the project linking Pallipuram and Thampanoor will cover a total distance of 22.20 km. There will be 19 stations en route and the total cost is estimated to be ` 2,775 crore.  The phase-II works linking Thampanoor and Neyyattinkara, covering a distance of 19.60 km, is estimated to cost ` 2,324 crore. There will be 16 stations on the route.The feasibility study had also proposed multi-level parking complexes near the monorail stations to lure people to avail of the service. A skywalk has also been proposed from the monorail station at Thampanoor connecting the upcoming multi-storeyed KSRTC bus terminal complex, Central railway station, Chalai and East Fort. The Cabinet had approved the feasibility report prepared by NATPAC on February 29. The study, which found the Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) to be 7 - 13 per cent, put the economical internal rate of return at 12.6 per cent. The feasibility study was conducted by the NATPAC team comprising five scientists and various survey teams. The State budget for 2012-13 had earmarked ` 20 crore for the project.