Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to shut down light Metro offices

Thiruvananthapuram: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is planning to wind up its offices in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode due to the state government’s delay in deciding on the light metro projects in the two cities.

Sources said that DMRC’s principal adviser E. Sreedharan would hold a meeting with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy soon before taking a final decision.

“Mr Sreedharan is in the US and on his return, he would discuss with the CM the future of the projects. Currently, its offices are functioning in rented buildings and they cannot continue there without any formal agreement on the projects,” sources said.

The DMRC has demanded the implementation of the light metro on turnkey basis with six percent of the cost as consultancy fee.

However, the finance department and the state planning board have insisted on a global tender. The agreement signed with the DMRC by the government had expired long back.

“After the monorail projects were scrapped, no fresh pact was signed with the government. As per the old agreement, the government owes Rs 27 crore to the DMRC. But it did not accept the dues as the project was scrapped,” said sources.