DMRC chief expresses concern over delay in land acquisition for metro rail.

Mangu Singh, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), recently expressed concern over inordinate delay in land acquisition that held up Kochi metro works at many places in the city.

Speaking to media persons recently after visiting the metro's Aluva-Maharaja's College Ground corridor (Reach one), he said a lot of things mentioned in the agreement (with Kochi Metro Rail Limited) had not materialised. The most prominent among them is timely handing over of land for the metro. 'We did not expect this much delay in land acquisition. But we will try our best to adhere to the (revised) target (of June 2016 to complete Reach one), he said.

DMRC’s Principal Adviser E. Sreedharan said earlier this month that land acquisition was not over even in many parts of Reach one, while necessary land had not been handed over in the Jos Junction-Pettah reach though the metro ought to reach Pettah by June 2016 as per original schedule. He even said the metro might have to be confined to Aluva-Palarivattom stretch if land was not handed over on time.

Along with Dani Thomas, DMRC's new Project Director for Kochi Metro, Mr. Singh also visited metro's casting yards at HMT and FACT. They also visited the metro's upcoming coach-maintenance yard at Muttom near Aluva. Later in the day, Mr. Singh interacted with the metro's contractors and DMRC officials.

Soon, he will meet KMRL Managing Director Elias George and representatives of French firm Alstom that is expected to supply 75 coaches to the metro from January 2016. This is to bring clarity on Kochi Metro's coach specifications.

This comes in the backdrop of DMRC reportedly not issuing manufacturing clearance to French firm Alstom that is to supply 75 coaches for the metro, due to delay in finalising specifications. 'Following recent's meeting, systems officials of both the metro agencies will meet and finalise all specifications. During a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had directed the two agencies to sort out all pending issues – including land and coach issues within a week,' metro sources said.


THE HINDU