Friday at Writers’ Buildings. The board, comprising five representatives of the state government and five from the Centre, chalked out a plan of action for the East-West metro project.

“It was essentially a discussion where we reviewed the project and discussed the modalities on how to proceed with the project,” said P K Pradhan, Principal Secretary, State Urban Development.

Work on the elevated section in Salt Lake is all set to take-off in September or October and will be carried out in two phases, said Pradhan. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been appointed as the interim project consultant for the elevated section.

The state government plans to engage consultants over the next two months so that work on the underground section can begin by the year end.

As for the Mahakaran station near Writers’ Buildings, the state government has already undertaken land acquisition for this purpose.

It was learnt that the KMRC has requested the Metro Railway authorities in Kolkata to provide technical and clerical staff for the project.

“Some of our engineers may join KMRC on deputation. They have also sent a formal request for stenographers,” said a senior officer of the Metro Railways.

The project is slated to be over by 2014. The state transport department has already launched an elaborate publicity campaign for the project.