Why are we kept out, asks piqued Delhi Metro

Why are we kept out, asks piqued Delhi Metro

R Krishnakumar | TNN


Bangalore: Even as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) grapples with a delay in the Namma Metro schedule, its own project consultant has raised concerns over the tardy progress of work on Phase 1. According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) — that had done the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase 1 — BMRC had misplaced priorities while charting out the project schedule. To top it, the DMRC is piqued that it has been “kept out’’ of action on the ground.
“The DMRC is the prime consultant for preparing the DPRs for Namma Metro. We were expected to be the watchdog of this project, ensuring that deadlines are met but we have been kept out of the action,’’ a senior DMRC official told TOI. He said BMRC’s decision to commence civil engineering works even before it arrived at a comprehensive plan for rolling stock (coaches) was a step backward in implementation of the first phase.
Considering that the foundation stone for the project was laid in June 2006, Metro’s Reach 1 (Byappanahalli to M G Road) should have been open by late 2008, according to the official.
He said while person-to-person interaction was on between the two corporations on random doubts and updates, DMRC expertise was not being taken for the work on ground.
A senior BMRC official said the charges made against the corporation were not true.
“When one of the senior directors of Delhi Metro is part of our board of directors here, where’s the issue of the DMRC not being consulted on the work on ground?’’ asked the BMRC official.
The DMRC has highlighted that the operations at the proposed Metro depot should have begun.
CONSULTING HITCH
DMRC feels it’s being kept out of Metro work Charges that available expertise is not put to use Says civil works ahead of coaches not pragmatic