Sreedharan to attend Kochi Metro launch

Thiruvanathapuram: A couple of days after controversy erupted over the architect of Delhi Metro Rail, E. Sreedharan, popularly called “Metro Man” not being invited to the inauguration of Kochi Metro on June 17, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday clarified that the eminent engineer will be present on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the commencement of Kochi Metro rail’s operations on Saturday.

PMO sources confirmed to this newspaper that Mr Sreedharan has been invited for Saturday’s function and will be present during the occasion when Mr Modi will become the first official passenger on the metro in Kochi. This puts an end to the controversy over the non-inclusion of DMRC principal adviser Mr Sreedharan, from the list of dignitaries sharing the dais with the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, agencies reported from Thiruvananthapuram that Mr Sreedharan refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying the security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more important.

He also inspected the arrangements for the inauguration.

“Please don’t make a controversy over the issue. Prime Minister’s security is important,” Mr Sreedharan said, adding that the programme should be conducted as per the preparations made by the Prime Minister’s security agencies.