Metro accidents criticised in Rajya Sabha

The government came in for criticism in the Rajya Sabha, over the recent accidents on the Delhi Metro sites. Members said that the government was acting in haste to complete Phase 2 of the Metro project.

CJ: B K Upmanyu

Wed, Jul 15, 2009 15:15:37 IST

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Delhi Metro News :

IN THE wake of accidents at a Metro construction site in Delhi, members in the Rajya Sabha picked holes in the government's claim that all was well with the Metro project on the fronts of safety and remuneration. Apprehensions were raised on whether Metro Director Sreedharan, was working under pressure, and was being prevented from implementing technical discipline and safety norms in the coveted Metro programme.

But the government showed utter disregard for members' concerns as the Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy, did not give a specific reply to any of the questions raised by the MPs. Roy insisted that members should wait for completion of the inquiry.

The members said that the government was acting in haste to complete Phase 2 of the Metro ahead of commencement of the Commonwealth Games in 2010. As a result, work was not being done by the original contractor who was allotted the contract. “Earlier design was made by the DMRC, but now even designs are being outsourced to contractors to save money,” BJP member Ravishankar Prasad, pointed out after the minister read his statement. He also said that even equipment being used were in a fatigued state. Prasad also complained of low wages/salaries and long working hours of workers in the Metro project.

“The contract is given to a contractor who is subcontracting to some one else then it again goes to some one else, no one knows who and which company was doing the work,” complained BJP member SS Ahluwalia. RJD member Rajneeti Prasad said that due to the extreme haste, concrete blocks were not properly soaked with water, resulting in inadequate hardening. He alleged that Gammon India has subcontracted work to non-professional companies which were probably responsible for the accident.

Even Congress member Prabha Thakur said, “Metro accident is the result of corruption and negligence and those who did not adhere to Sreedharan's advice to demolish the cracked pillar should be punished.” Earlier, Bharat Kumar Raut of the Shiv Sena, said that Sreedharan had found fault with the pillar and had instructed its demolition, but he had also suggested it could be repaired. Raut said it appeared that Sreedharan was acting under pressure.

Many members also demanded the removal of Gammon India Limited from the companies involved in the Metro construction. They also demanded that the process of subcontracting be stopped. But unfazed by the members' concerns, Roy, however, asserted that project rules permitted subcontracting. Even as MPs protested his assertion, Roy took a dig at Ravishankar Prasad's concern for the workers at Metro sites.

“If Ravishankar Prasad wants to form a workers' union in the Metro, he should apply,” the Minister said, without making any reference to wages, time and safety norms at the Metro sites. The DMRC gives jobs on contract to firms which in turn sub-contract these jobs to others. Roy informed the House that such practices were normal in most construction projects.

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