KOCHI: Amid controversies surrounding the involvement of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in implementing Kochi metro , DMRC chief E Sreedharan will retire from service on December 31. Before leaving for Chennai on a personal visit on Wednesday, India's metro man had reiterated his inability to head Kochi metro. Sreedharan also said KMRL had written a letter to DMRC stating that it had the ability to execute the project on its own. Sreedharan had said if DMRC was not assiociated with the Kochi project he would not be able to be associated with it. His remarks on the letter had triggered a controversy over the execution of the project. Sreedharan was not available for further comments. He is expected to return to New Delhi on Sunday. Meanwhile, KMRL managing director Tom Jose said there was no intention to sideline DMRC. He said the letter was written in consultation with the state government as it was required to ensure funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). "DMRC can participate in the tender and continue to associate with the Rs 4,427 crore Kochi metro rail project," he said. "We value Sreedharan's wise counsel and guidance and would like to continue our association with him," he added. Tom Jose also said they had decided to implement the project in line with Chennai and Bangalore metros.