THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) E Sreedharan It has said that the government is fooling the people by undercutting the cost and not disclosing the detailed project report of the Silverline project.
In a statement here, he said the Chief Minister’s statements regarding the project on Tuesday before selected invitees including public representatives and members of civil society were not true to the facts.
“It was also mentioned that the DPRs of major projects are not made public. This is a total lie. I had prepared DPRs for at least 10 big projects and none of the DPRs were kept away from the public. Why is the government fooling people by undercutting the cost and hiding facts,” he asked.
He added that wherever the KRL passes through the ground, high concrete or masonry walls should be provided on both sides to prevent trespass of people and animals – and fencing will not be enough as it can be easily breached. “Providing concrete walls on both sides is a definite environmental disaster as it will block natural drainage as well as loss of eyesight. The fate of Kuttanad, which gets flooded easily, will be repeated over the entire length of 393 km, where the K-Rail is at ground level,” he said.
He said that around 800 ROBs or RUBs would have to be constructed and each of them would cost at least Rs 20 crore. This amount of about Rs 16,000 crore has not been included in the current estimate. Also, for 800 ROBs or RUBs, a lot of additional land has to be acquired which was not envisioned. Sreedharan said the additional cost of the land and the time of acquisition should be calculated.
The Chief Minister had said on Tuesday that out of the estimated project cost of Rs 63,941 crore, Rs 56,881 crore would be spent in just five years. The loan will be raised at the lowest possible interest rates in consultation with international agencies.
In the presence of the Chief Minister, K-Rail Managing Director V Ajit Kumar had said that the cost of the project has been worked out by including all aspects- the cost and interest to be paid on the loan during the construction period. He had also said that the priority across the world is that DPRs are not issued until the project gets the final approval.
In a statement here, he said the Chief Minister’s statements regarding the project on Tuesday before selected invitees including public representatives and members of civil society were not true to the facts.
“It was also mentioned that the DPRs of major projects are not made public. This is a total lie. I had prepared DPRs for at least 10 big projects and none of the DPRs were kept away from the public. Why is the government fooling people by undercutting the cost and hiding facts,” he asked.
He added that wherever the KRL passes through the ground, high concrete or masonry walls should be provided on both sides to prevent trespass of people and animals – and fencing will not be enough as it can be easily breached. “Providing concrete walls on both sides is a definite environmental disaster as it will block natural drainage as well as loss of eyesight. The fate of Kuttanad, which gets flooded easily, will be repeated over the entire length of 393 km, where the K-Rail is at ground level,” he said.
He said that around 800 ROBs or RUBs would have to be constructed and each of them would cost at least Rs 20 crore. This amount of about Rs 16,000 crore has not been included in the current estimate. Also, for 800 ROBs or RUBs, a lot of additional land has to be acquired which was not envisioned. Sreedharan said the additional cost of the land and the time of acquisition should be calculated.
The Chief Minister had said on Tuesday that out of the estimated project cost of Rs 63,941 crore, Rs 56,881 crore would be spent in just five years. The loan will be raised at the lowest possible interest rates in consultation with international agencies.
In the presence of the Chief Minister, K-Rail Managing Director V Ajit Kumar had said that the cost of the project has been worked out by including all aspects- the cost and interest to be paid on the loan during the construction period. He had also said that the priority across the world is that DPRs are not issued until the project gets the final approval.
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