To speed up city infra,govt plans flexibility to state metros

Considering the demands by Metro rail bodies across the country for an independent regulator for Metro systems,the ministry of urban development

Considering the demands by Metro rail bodies across the country for an independent regulator for Metro systems,the ministry of urban development (MoUD) is looking at making amendments to the existing Metro Rail (Construction of Works) Act,1978 that could give Metro rail bodies more control over Metro projects.

Along with amendments to the Act,the MoUD is also considering setting up separate Metro Rail Advisory Boards for each of the Metro bodies instead of the one common board.

We have been having discussions with the Metro Rail bodies and the Ministry of Railways. There are umpteen suggestions related to technical control and safety certification of Metros. We havent made any policy decision yet,but this may lead to a policy change. We may incorporate some of these suggestions in the Metro Act, said Sudhir Krishna,secretary at the urban development ministry.

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With amendments to the Act,the Metro rail bodies expect to gain more control over the technical and safety-related aspects of Metro systems that are currently the prerogative of the railways ministry,and hence speed up the completion of Metro projects.

This may result in good,solid amendments where we will be able to really take up projects for speedy execution. The meetings have been very good so far. For certification,they are now considering an independent certification agency with a proven capability, said SVR Srinivas,head of Mumbai Metro Rail Corp.

At present,the urban development ministry has administrative control over Metro Rail systems,while technical control is in the hands of the Railways. Every component of a Metro project requires the approval of the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO). After completion of the project,the Commissioner of Railway Safety,an organisation under the civil aviation ministry,certifies the Metro corridor.

Most Metro Rail bodies said that the Indian Railways has neither the time nor the requisite expertise to exercise control over Metro systems and this often leads to time overruns on projects.

Slow track

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* The RDSO and railways ministry took 16 months to grant speed certification for oscillation trials for commissioning the first line of Bangalore Metro

* Chennai Metro had recommended setting of time limits to process regulatory approvals and giving the state full power in implementation

* Mumbai Metro had also recommended having a separate Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety to certify Metro corridors

* Delhi Metro stalwart E Sreedharan had also written to the MoUD complaining that the Railways were holding back Metro plans in several states