Metro crash fails to jolt watchdog

Metro crash fails to jolt watchdog

A metro crane CRASHED ON MOnday RAISING FEARS ABOUT THE SAFETY FACTOR IN THE PROJECT'S CONSTRUCTION WORK.

task force chief on quality assurance in public constructionS KEPT OFF THE SITE FOR nearly 24 HOURS.

Basavaraj Itnaal. Bangalore
Nearly 24 hours after a crane came crashing down at the Namma Metro work site on CMH road on Monday night, it has been business as casual at all project locations.
No one from the state government's newly appointed task force on quality assurance in public constructions, was seen anywhere near the accident site.
Task force chief Dr C S Vishwanath, in fact, had other concerns weighing heavily on his mind.
"The government is yet to provide me with a secretariat and other infrastructure. The task force has not met even once. Its terms of reference are yet to be set," he told DNA on Tuesday afternoon.
When asked pointedly on why he had not visited the accident site, he said: "Nobody has asked me to go. Why should I? I will visit the site today and examine."
Monday's crane crash was the first mishap involving Namma Metro. That 70% of the infrastructure work in the city is Metro-related work, had also failed to instil any sense of urgency in the authorities.
PWD minister C M Udasi was away in Tumkur to invite Siddaganga swamiji for an event in his home district of Haveri. The minister's cellphone was not accessible for a comment
Dr Vishwanath, meanwhile, was more worried about his jurisdiction. He was also not sure if he had any powers. "I need to know if this task force is going to have any teeth at all," he said.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had constituted the task force under Dr Vishwanath two months ago with an objective of ensuring quality construction in all public works in the state.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited BMRCL chief engineer (Reach I) Dani Thomas told DNA that the incident had spread panic among the citizens. "Prima facie it appears to be a case of negligence of the crane operator. We cannot take action on the contractor, Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, since we have a consultant to monitor the works. Once the consultant submits a report, we will take a decision."DANGER IN AIR:Namma Metro work in progress on MG Road. (Inset) Traffic moves at snail's pace during peak hours here