Airport Metro: Probe panel gets 3 months to fix responsibility
TIMESNEWSNETWORK
New Delhi: More than a month after the Airport Metro Express was shut down for repair, the urban development ministry has set a time limit for the enquiry committee formed to fix responsibility for the defects. On Tuesday, the two-member committee was given three months to submit its report, said ministry sources.
The ministry has also decided to appoint a third party to overlook the rehabilitation work, said officials. “The monitoring of the rehabilitation work will be done by a third party to ensure that defects are addressed to both the Delhi Metro and Reliance’s satisfaction,” said a senior official. According to officials, the rehabilitation plan for...
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the defects found in 540 bearings has been approved by the railways, which is overseeing the rectification work.
Following the rectification, the joint inspection committee will also look into the work needed in the girders. “Prima facie, these cracks don’t seem to be serious. However, more investigation is needed before a solution can be decided,” said a senior official. If found serious, these cracks will need a “stronger” rehabilitation
process, said sources. “In an extreme case, the girders may need to be recast,” added the official. This will be decided though, only after a thorough inspection of the girders is undertaken.
The enquiry committee that had been set up by the urban development ministry consists of two members —A K Gupta, additional member (works) in the Railway Board, and D Deeptivilas, additional secretary, urban development ministry.
While Delhi Metro will carry out the repair work, Systra, the company that originally designed the airport line, will also be involved. The official added, “While DMRC will deploy the rehabilitation team, Systra will be the design consultant and ensure that its specifications are followed.”
The joint inspection committee of Delhi Metro and Reliance had submitted its report last week. It had found several defects along the Airprot Metro Express’s elevated line. While 25% of the bearings will require some degree of repair, the girders, too, are found to be cracked.