Delay in Metro means Rs 50 lakh loss per day

BANGALORE: While delays are the norm in every Metro project, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is bound to pay a heavy price, in case of further delay in the commissioning of the Phase I of Metro, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) E Sreedharan said on Saturday. "It will mean a Rs 50 lakh loss for every day of delay," he added.
According to Sreedharan, the BMRCL is getting required clearance. "But the retirement of the Commissioner of Railway Safety K J S Naidu is also a reason for the delay," he pointed out. Cost escalation of inputs, continuing cost on manpower and utilities, and failure to generate traffic revenues owing to nonoperation of services contribute to the losses, said Sreedharan, addressing a symposium on Tunnelling, TBM Technology and Underground Station organised by CEC International Corporation and Soma Enterprises here.The Phase I of Namma Metro which comprises the 18.1 km stretch of EastWest Corridor (ByappanahalliMysore Road Terminal) and the 24.2 km stretch of NorthSouth Corridor (Hessarghatta Cross to Jaraganahalli), are expected to be completed by June 2012.