With state government deciding to place Elias George at the helm of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), replacing Tom Jose, the well wishers of the `5,182 crore project believe that the move will help in further strengthening the ties between the KMRL and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Though the KMRL or DMRC officials did not come out in open against each other, there were several occasions where the differences of opinion between both the parties were unveiled.
At the time of the project proposal, the government had expressed its interest to entrust the implementation of the project with DMRC.
Accordingly, they invited the DMRC to undertake the metro rail related works, including the reconstruction of the Ernakulam North Rail Overbridge (RoB) and new RoB at Salim Rajan Road.
But after the formation of KMRL with Tom Jose as the managing director, the relationship between the DMRC and KMRL strained.
The declaration by Tom Jose that a global tender will be floated to identify the implementation agency also invited criticism.
Later, it was Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who intervened in the issue and sorted things out by declaring that the government will invite E Sreedharan as the principal advisor to the project.
But Sreedharan insisted that he would not take up the venture if the DMRC is not given the complete power for the project implementation.
Later, after the Centre giving its nod, the Chief Minister also officially declared that the DMRC will be the implementation agency.
Railways Minister Aryadan Mohammed had also expressed his displeasure over the working style of Tom Jose several times to Oommen Chandy, sources said.
This may be one reason for replacing him,” they said.
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