If there’s a man who can be credited for the successful completion of the Kochi Metro, it is E Sreedharan. Popularly known as the “Metro Man”, Sreedharan oversaw the entire project through hurdles such as fierce monsoons and labour strikes.
However, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled on a Kochi Metro train on Saturday to inaugurate Kerala's first metro, the man behind Delhi and now Kochi Metro, Sreedharan, will not have a seat on the dais.
In the first 25-km phase, trains will run for 13 km between Palarivattom and Aluva. Work is on in the remaining section.
Those on the dais will be PM Modi, Governor P Sathasivam, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Among others who have been excluded from the dais are Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, local MP KV Thomas and local legislator PT Thomas. This has upset many, including Pinarayi.
To the man himself, however, the exclusion is no disappointment. While speaking to reporters, Sreedharan remarked that there was no need for him to be invited, so the media should not create a controversy over the issue.
Of the several reactions to Sreedharan’s exclusion, PT Thomas said:
This shows the arrogance of the BJP. When the foundation stone for Kochi Metro was laid by then prime minister Manmohan Singh, none was left out from the dais. This is Kerala’s dream project and the key people behind this are now asked to sit in the audience. This is totally unfair.
Elias George, the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Corp, told the media that the list of invitees to the dais was prepared and sent to the Prime Minister's Office. "The final list is made by the PMO. We have no role in this."
Earlier, Sreedharan had told the media that he was not aware that his name had been excluded from the dais.
I have not got any intimation. I will definitely participate in the inaugural function. For that I am heading to Kochi.
It was also reported that the CM has now written a letter to the centre in this regard.
Work on Kochi Metro began in 2012, after the Chandy government entrusted the project to Delhi Metro Rail Corp, with its principal advisor Sreedharan overseeing the project.
(With inputs from The News Minute.)
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