Chennai, Kochi metro projects to complete by 2016: Egis

New Delhi: French engineering firm Egis Group, which is executing metro projects in Chennai and Kochi, Tuesday said the two rail projects would be completed by 2016.

"The two (Chennai and Kochi metro) projects will be completed by 2016," Nicolas Jachiet, Chairman and CEO of Egis Group said here today.

The firm has interests in highways, aviation, ports and urban development projects and is executing the metro rail projects in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Kochi (Kerala).

Egis is the detailed design consultant for the Kochi metro project for viaduct and elevated stations work.

The company is part of consortium that is spearheading management and execution of the project as a general consultant.

Jachiet hinted that the Kolkata metro rail project may get delayed due to land acquisition issues. The company is engaged in design and implementation of the project for two metro lines in Kolkata. "Land (acquisition) is hampering the Kolkata project."

The Group is also looking at participating in the central government's smart city plan.

"India is the future...India needs to develop its infrastructure and the new government has kick-started the process with the announcement of 100 smart cities and other big ticket infrastructure projects in the country," Jachiet said.

At present, the company is working on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration of Dholera Special Investment Region, country's first smart city in Gujarat.