Delhi Metro gets its first train from controversial Hyundai contract.

Months after expressing displeasure over the Rs 4,600-crore contract with South Korean Hyundai Rotem for supply of coaches, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has received its first train as part of the controversial deal.

The train, manufactured at Changwon in South Korea, arrived at Mundra port in Gujarat and was brought to Delhi on special trailers. It reached DMRC's Mukundpur Depot.

DMRC would have to use the Hyundai-supplied 81 train sets (486 coaches) as it was advised by the government and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi against cancellation of the contract.

'Yes, the same coaches have arrived under the Hyundai contract,' a DMRC spokesperson confirmed, adding that these trains will cater to the requirements of the upcoming 58 Kilometer Majlish Park – Shiv Vihar corridor and 38 Kilometer Janakpuri West – Botanical Garden corridor of Phase III, both of which are expected to be operational by the end of 2016.

DMRC had awarded Hyundai Rotem the mega contract in April 2013. The metro operator had late last year said it had come to its notice that Hundai Rotem had, in its tender submission to DMRC against the Rolling Stock tender related to the Phase-III project, concealed the fact that it had been barred by a government agency.

DMRC had then sought the opinion of the country’s highest law officer after finding Hyundai, in violation of tender conditions, allegedly withheld information of being blacklisted by another Indian government agency, the Airports Authority of India (AAI). AAI had in 2011 barred Hyundai Rotem from bidding for its contracts till December 13, 2014.

BS