The Kerala government Wednesday asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to begin preliminary work on the Rs.3,048 crore Kochi Metro Rail (KMR) project for which the Centre is yet to give its final approval.
"Yes, it is true that the final approval is yet to come from the Centre, but we have got clearance from a few other places. The preliminary work is to widen the roads, construct the necessary overbridges," Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters here after the weekly cabinet meeting.
"We have decided to give DMRC six per cent of the total construction cost as fees," he added.
KMR is a joint venture between the state and the Centre. It is planned to run in the 26 km stretch between Tripunithura and Aluva in Kochi, Kerala's commercial capital.