Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is on exit mode

KOCHI: The decision by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) to invite an international tender for the implementation of Kochi Metro Rail may force the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to back out of the proposed project.Clarifying DMRC’s stand on the issue, its project director P Sriram told Express that if KMRL did not withdraw its plan to float the tender, DMRC will wind up its activities in Kochi after completing the two Metro Rail-related works that it has already commenced.‘‘KMRL has sent us a letter saying that if we want to implement the project, we will have to participate in a global tender that will be floated by them.But we are not contractors to participate in the bid to get associated with Kochi Metro.DMRC is an entity formed by the Delhi Government and the Union Govt to execute the Delhi Metro Rail project.We have no objection to KMRL implementing the project on its own,’’ said Sriram.He said that DMRC undertook the implementation of two Metro Rail-related projects as per the request of the state government.‘‘We are willing to undertake the Kochi Metro work if the state government hands over responsibility to us,’’ he said.Earlier, KMRL managing director Tom Jose said that they are planning to implement the project on the lines of Chennai and Bangalore.As per the requirement, an international tender would be invited.Regarding Chennai and Bangalore, Sriram said in both the cases, the respective state governments carried out the project on their own.‘‘If KMRL wants to implement the project on its own, DMRC has no objection.And if the state govt also takes a stand favouring KMRL, we will shut our office after completing the two Metro-related projects,’’ Sriram said.DMRC chief E Sreedharan reportedly sent letters in this regard to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Minister for Railways Aryadan Mohammed on Friday.