Kochi: With the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation turning down the demands of contractors engaged in Metro construction for a hike in contract amount following a delay in the project, a blame game has ensued with major players now charging that they were not provided with detailed design and drawings of stations among others on time.
“Land acquisition is not the only factor that consumed a lot of time. There was inordinate delay on the part of ‘Egis’, the Detailed Design Consultant for Kochi Metro project, in providing us with main drawings. It was handed over to us only in the 24th month of the construction period even as it should have been made available within six months. No action is being taken against them while we are being penalised,” a senior official of one of the contractors said.
“Also the plan was changed often leading to additional cost. All this has escalated the construction cost and it is not being considered by the DMRC. Even now the drawings of stations like Maharajas College are pending. With our demand for a percentage hike in contract fee denied, we have started demobilising our labour and machinery. We have shifted 1,500 labourers from the worksites,” he said.
DMRC officials refuse to comment
While Soma Constructions, which was entrusted with the section from Kaloor to Ernakulam South, demanded a 40 per cent hike, L&T, the contractor on the Aluva-Kaloor stretch has also demanded a 20 per cent increase in contract fees. A fine to the tune of Rs 14 lakh per day is being imposed on Soma Constructions while L&T is paying Rs 20 lakh per day.
The Kochi Metro project has become dearer for both the agencies. The total loss for Soma is Rs 30 crore while L&T incurred a loss to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore. The major contractors have thus decided not to participate in further phases of the Kochi Metro project.
Meeting to assess progress of metro project to be held soon: P Rajeev
With major contractors deciding not to participate in subsequent phases of the Kochi Metro project, a meet including all the players would be soon conveyed to assess progress of the project, P. Rajeev, a CPM leader said. “Almost 38 companies are engaged in Metro construction across India. Even in the pre-bid meeting of the first phase works, we got a warm response, even from companies from the US. L&T and Soma were selected as they quoted the lowest bid,” Metro sources said. they were awarded the contract," said metro sources. This comes even as both the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) maintained that the development won’t affect the future works.
