The Delhi Rail Corporation (DMRC) is planning to withdraw from the Kochi Metro Rail Project and will soon close its office in the city after the completion of the ongoing work.

E Sreedharan, the Managing Director of DMRC said in a letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Power Minister Aryadan Muhammad that the DMRC is backing out from the project as Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL)implements the project on its own.

KMRL wants DMRC to continue working as a consultant on the project. It has decided against awarding contract implementation to DMRC in the proposed Rs 48,00 crore project in the south Indian city. DMRC is working on realignment and reconstruction works on the two rail over-bridges in the city.

The Chief Minister of the state refuted reports that DMRC plans to step back and said that the city desires service of the E Sreedharan and a request will sent to him for the matter.

According to reports, KMRL plans to invite an international tender for the implementation of Kochi Metro Rail and thus will not award the contract to DMRC. The DMRC is a entity formed by the Delhi Government and the Union Government to execute the Delhi Metro Rail project and is unlikely to participate in any tender bidding. DMRC has been assisting a host of Indian cities in planning and implementing their dream metro rail projects.