Citing conflict of interest, Reliance Infrastructure has told the government it does not favour the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), its partner in the Airport Metro Expressway in this city, overseeing repair work for the project. Instead, it wanted the railways to take the lead role in this. However, as the railways are reluctant to be involved on a long-term basis, it would only carry out a ‘super check’ on the overall work.
At a meeting between Delhi Airport Metro Express officials and those from the Ministry of Urban Development, various lapses were found on the part of the contractor. According to a decision by the Urban Development Ministry, DMRC would be in charge of overseeing repair work, while the railways would carry out the final check. So far, the railways has not been involved in designing any element of the metro.
A DMRC official confirmed the entity would be carrying out repairs. The cost of the repair works, not estimated yet, would be borne by IJM, the contractor entrusted with the work, said a government official.
A joint inspection committee report has concluded all the bearings used in the Airport Metro Expressway have defects and 100 per cent replacement/repairs would be required. The committee, comprising experts from DMRC, Indian Railways and Reliance Infrastructure, carried out a site survey soon after the 23-km corridor between the New Delhi Railway Station and IGI Airport station was shut on July 8.
Sources said considering the extent of the defects, the repair work would take at least six to eight months.
