Kochi Metro: HC issues notices to Central and Ker govts

The Kerala High Court today issued notices to the Union and state governments on a plea seeking a direction to them to take necessary steps to facilitate completion of Kochi Metro Rail project by DMRC within a stipulated time. The petitioner, Balachandran, who had filed a plea earlier, had withdrawn it after the court observed that unnecessary statements in the petition should be avoided. When the fresh petition came up before a division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique, they admitted it and ordered issue of notices.

According to the petitioner, DMRC Chairman Sudhir Krishna is also the KMRL chairman. Officials who are holding important posts in DMRC are directors of KMRL as well. Virtually both the organisations are one and under the central government, he contended. During the consideration of the earlier petition, Advocate General K P Dandapani had said there were 'unfounded' allegations which should be removed, following which the petition was withdrawn.