The Hindu 27.11.2009
Corporation seeks suburban railway
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Kochi corporation has decided to step up its campaign for a suburban railway system for Kochi.
The corporation council resolved to take up the case with E. Ahamed, the Union Minister of State for Railways. The Union Minister would be requested to convene a meeting in this regard, said Mercy Williams, Kochi Mayor at the council meeting.
The civic authorities have also decided to ask the Railways to implement the project, as it would help to reduce the traffic pressure on the city roads. Raising the issue in the council, Sabu George of the LDF said that a representation should be submitted to the railway authorities in this regard. He also suggested that the civic representatives should take up the issue with the Railway Minister.
A special meeting of the Corporation council will be convened to discuss the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission projects and the functioning of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project, Ms. Williams said.
V.J. Hycinth of the UDF complained that the Sahodaran Ayyappan road project was dragging leading to widespread complaints from the general public. He suggested that the funds offered by the City Development Initiative for Asia should be used as the urban local body share for the proposed projects like flyovers and new roads.
He also suggested that the civic body should approach the State government and the Chief Minister with a request for declaring a road development package for Kochi.
Johnson Master urged the Kochi Mayor to take steps for including the Bund Road renovation programme in the agenda of the council meeting of the Greater Cochin Development Authority.
K.G. Dinesan, David Parambithara, T.J. Vinod and N. Venugopal were among those who took part in the discussion.
