The proposed Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro project is likely to be delayed because Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which will be merged with the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Kerala Rapid Transit Limited (KRTL), has yet to decide on a metro model for the capital city. The project is being implemented by KMRL after the Centre informed the state government that one company is preferred to oversee the metro projects in the state. Meanwhile, the cabinet decision on the KMRL-KRTL merger is expected next week. However, preliminary work for the construction of flyovers at Sreekariyam under KRTL is progressing, and the work is expected to begin this year. Loknath Behera, MD of KMRL, stated that the company will proceed with the project only after receiving proper communication from the Centre to the state government about the proposed metro model for Thiruvananthapuram. “Once the state government issues an order after the cabinet decision on the merger, we will proceed and approach the Centre for further steps, including the metro model, which is to be implemented,” he said. Previously, the Union government proposed Metro Lite rather than Light Metro. However, the state government is opposed to Metro Lite because it has yet to be implemented anywhere, making its implementation an experiment. “The decision on the merger will be taken soon. Though a decision has been made, it has to be placed before the cabinet meeting and an official order has to be issued. So, we are expecting the decision in the next cabinet meeting, said MLA V K Prasanth, who is overseeing the proposed flyover at Pattom. According to Prasanth, the Pattom flyover will be built under the supervision of KMRL within three months. According to the Public Works Department's estimates, Phase I of the proposed Light Metro, which would involve the construction of a 21.8km stretch from Pallipuram to Karamana, would cost around $46.73 billion. See also:Gorakhpur's light metro rail to go ahead as DPR approved Kerala considers light metro instead of monorail