Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (IANS) The much-awaited but long-delayed Rs.3,048 crore (Rs.30.48 billion) Kochi Metro Rail (KMR) project, which is expected to solve the vexed traffic problems in Kerala's commercial capital, is back on track with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Monday saying the project will go ahead.

 
 Addressing reporters here after a high-level meeting with ministers, legislators from Ernakulam district and Delhi Metro's chief E. Sreedharan, Chandy said the government was keen on the project.
 
 "We are working out a scheme where this project will take off and it would be through equity participation by both the centre and the state. It would be on similar lines like the Bangalore and Chennai metro," he said.
 
 The project, planned to run on the 26-km stretch between Tripunithura and Aluva in Kochi, has been in limbo for a long time.
 
 Interestingly, when the project was first mooted five years ago in Kerala, the Dubai government took a cue and decided to set up their own metro rail. While their project began operating last year, the Kerala project is still on the drawing board.
 
 Sanctions from the Planning Commission and the union urban development ministry have been obtained but the nod from the finance ministry is awaited.
 
 Chandy, who last week announced his 100-day action plan, has this mega project on the agenda.