The Kerala government has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to start preliminary and preparatory works for the proposed Kochi Metro project. According to the DMRC spokesperson, the state government has sanctioned an amount of 159 crore rupees to the Corporation for this purpose. The preparatory works will begin with widening of approaches to roads, building of approaches of road over bridges and others on deposit terms on similar lines as the work being executed by DMRC for Jaipur Metro.The DMRC has been a catalyst for Metro expansion in India with Metros in various stages of execution and planning in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahemdabad, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Pune, Hyderabad and Jaipur.