Operator wanted to shut ops,didn’t inspect line: DMRC

A DAMEPL spokesperson rejected the charge,saying independent inspections have proved that defects in the bearing and structure were caused by deviation from design during construction,which the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) managed.

In a letter to the DAMEPL’s Director,DMRC Director (Works) Jitendra Tyagi said no inspection was carried out on the 22.7-km long corridor till mid-May 2012 which violated Sub Article 20.1 of the concessionaire agreement.

“Failing to do so,the consortium flouted the concessionaire agreement by overlooking the inspection clause — provisions incorporated in the Civil Structures Maintenance Manual,” the letter stated.

The letter was in reply to an earlier communication by the DAMEPL pointing out defects in the corridor’s civil work that was managed by the DMRC.

Besides pointing out the inspection failures,the DMRC letter alleged that the operator was driven by motivations when,between May 17 and June 2,it pushed for suspension of operations citing problems in bearings as a safety hazard.

“The sole intent (of the concessionaire) — preparing to close the operations,to give wrongfully purported notice of material breach to DMRC and to run away from fulfilling its obligations under the agreement. Such breach of agreement amounts to termination of the agreement but DMRC is committed to keep the line operational for the larger good,” DMRC letter stated.

The concessionaire agreement’s maintenance manual lists out three mandatory inspections classified as routine,principal and special,Delhi Metro officials pointed out. Officials said a routine inspection of viaducts and bearings was to be carried out at least once a year and by a qualified bridge engineer,but preferably twice a year.

The first principal inspection was schedule before expiry of the defect liability period of the DMRC works contractor or within six months after completion and opening of the section which was earlier. Principal inspection was supposed to be undertaken before August 2011 — within six months of the opening. Special inspection was mandated if any defects were noticed in the routine or the principal inspection.

In his letter,Tyagi said till mid-May,the DAMEPL failed to carry out any such inspection whatsoever of viaducts and bearings. “Because the DAMEPL failed to undertake either routine inspections or principal inspection,none of the mistakes or defects if any in the DMRC works were identified or corrected in time,” the letter stated.

The DMRC claims it issued notes to the DAMEPL repeatedly between October 2011 and April 2012 to inspect the viaducts and the bearings,but the company failed to comply.

But DAMEPL refuted the allegation stating that a joint inspection with DMRC was carried out on March 26 this year. The observations of the inspection were recorded and brought to the notice of DMRC in a letter dated May 17,the spokesperson said.

Airport Metro’s operations were suspended in July after faults were discovered in the bearings. The line is expected to re-open in mid-September.