DMRC comes under fire over delay in Jaipur metro work

The Urban development and housing minister Shanti Dhariwal pulled up DMRC for the slow pace of Jaipur Metro project on the Mansarovar to Chandpole stretch in the first phase.

The minister said Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) would solely be held responsible if the project is not completed on the scheduled time — June next year.

Dhariwal expressed his dissatisfaction during the review meeting with the DMRC managing director Mangu Singh and others.

Discussing the progress of the civil works in the project, the minister said the sub-contractors have not expedited the project so far.

The sub-contractor DSC was the focus of discussion as it has been issued a notice for delay in the civil works. The company has been contracted for the elevated track which is being built from Mansarovar to Chandpole, excluding the segment from Ajmer Bridge to Ram Nagar.

“We discussed the slow progress in the civil works under the DSC sub-contractor. However, I clearly told DMRC that since it is executing the Metro project, the entire responsibility for the timely completion of the project lies with it,” Dhariwal said.

“I also advised DMRC that it should start the process of seizing bank guarantees and machineries of the sub-contractors who delay the project,” he added.

However, sources said DMRC has assured the minister that project would be ready by June 2013. Completing the project on time is one of the conditions of a contract signed between the DMRC and Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation project (JMRC).

On other hand, the DMRC officials are ready to take strict action against DSC.

The sources said the company has been asked to give a reply for delay by September 26.

“If the company does not send a satisfactory reply within the given time period, then the DMRC will hire another contractor to execute the rest of the project. The tender will be issued on the risk clause which says that cost of rest of the project will be borne by the DSC company,” said a DMRC official.

The Jaipur Metro project is one of the ambitious projects of the Gehlot government to transform the pink city into a world class one.

The government wants to complete the project before the assembly elections which are scheduled at the end of next year.