'We are opposed to global tenders for appointing general consultants. Give the job to DMRC, they will call for global tenders', Sreedharan told reporters here.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had no expertise in handling such a complicated project, he said.

DMRC has 14 years of expertise in design, planning and executing Metro projects while KMRL does not have technical competence at all, he said, adding, DMRC was the only agency which has the expertise to complete such projects.

Pointing that DMRC was a government company and not a private entity, he said without calling for global tenders DMRC has undertaken various projects, including that of Haryana government, Gurgaon-Noida and Faridabad extensions of the Delhi Metro and for making a huge underground parking facility for Delhi High Court. All these works were entrusted to DMRC without going for tenders. The High Court had no objection in entrusting the work to DMRC, he said.

Sreedharan said he had met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at New Delhi yesterday and informed him of the pros and cons of handing the project to DMRC and KMRL.

Chandy wanted the project to be completed in 3 years time while DMRC had said it would take three and half years. But Sreedharan said he had agreed to Chief Minister's demand to complete the project in three years.

Sreedharan said the Delhi government had wanted him to continue for another five years, which he had declined. For Kochi Metro there is an 'emotional attachment', he said adding he was associated with the project right from the time the survey was conducted.

The 'Metroman' said he had spoken to Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officials yesterday and they had said they have no objection in giving loans to the project if DMRC was entrusted with the work. "I am not canvassing business for DMRC, whose per day earnings are Rs four crore. They can make more money, if they undertake other projects.

Sreedharan said DMRC was charging only 6 per cent for the project while others charge 12.5 per cent, he said adding he was keen to undertake the project with support and expertise of DMRC. If KMRL is asked to undertake the project, they would take over one year to appoint consultants after calling for tender.

Replying to a query, he said the metro needs very little electricity. For Delhi, the power consumed by the metro was only 3 per cent of the city's power requirement. For Kochi metro also, about 3-4 per cent of the power consumption of the city would be needed for the metro project, he said.

Sreedharan said for 90 per cent of the work of the Kochi Metro, land acquisition would not be a problem. No project can be started with 100 per cent land acquisition, he said. Once the project gets started, everyone would cooperate.

The pre Planning board and investment board (PIB)clearance has been received and was awaiting PIB and Union government clearance on the project.