DMRC chief Sreedharan withdraws resignation

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Managing Director E Sreedharan today withdrew his resignation, a day after he put in his papers owning moral responsibility for an accident at a construction site killing six people and injuring 15.

“E Sreedharan has decided to withdraw his resignation in view of the letter received from Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and on the persuasion of Lt Governor of Delhi Tejendra Khanna and Union Minister of Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy,” said Anuj Dayal, Chief PRO, Delhi Metro.

Five persons were today injured in another accident at the same site, which occurred when a crane developed mechanical failure while lifting the launching girder.

“When the lifting operation started, one of the high-capacity cranes developed mechanical failure as its boom developed cracks and snapped. As a consequence, extra weight came on the booms of the other adjoining cranes, leading to snapping of booms of two other cranes and the toppling over of one of the cranes,” Dayal said. “The three crane operators involved were unharmed in the incident,” Dayal added.

Delhi Metro had constituted a four-member panel to inquire into the reason behind yesterday’s tragedy. The panel will give its report within 10 days.

Meanwhile, Gammon Infrastructure, the sub-contractor for the stretch where the accident took place, said it would pay compensation to the families of all the six employees who were killed.

“Gammon is internally investigating this accident and will fully cooperate with the high-powered enquiry committee appointed,” said a spokesperson.

Gammon India was also held responsible for a construction scaffolding collapse in Hyderabad, which claimed two lives in September 2007. And 10 per cent of the flyover cost (Rs 2.89 crore) was recovered from the company. The company had to compensate the kin of the dead and all those injured.

Gammon India opened weak on the BSE and plunged further to a low of Rs 133, down 17.49 per cent over the previous close on the exchange. It touched the intra-day high of Rs 177.50 and closed at Rs 165.60.