Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed on Saturday said that if the work of Era Constructions, which is carrying out the works at Kochi metro rail’s fourth reach, is unsatisfactory, the government would be left with no choice but to ask the authorities concerned to change the contractor.
“I have asked the authorities of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to change the contractor if they are unable to carry out the work on Vyttila-Petta reach smoothly. Now, it is the DMRC call. The labourers of the fourth reach are not to be blamed as they are yet to get their salaries,” Aryadan said here on the sidelines of the official launch of the ‘City on Wheels’ programme.
Aryadan said if Era Constructions has severe financial crisis which will affect the progress of the Kochi Metro rail project, the agency should be removed from the work. “The priority is to complete the Kochi metro rail work within the deadline,” he added.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have also expressed their dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the work of Kochi metro rail’s fourth reach. A majority of them have suggested replacing the existing contractors.
Though the work of metro rail at other reaches is progressing at a rapid pace, Era Constructions have been able to commence work at only one place in the fourth stretch. “Even that work was not carried out satisfactorily and DMRC officials have already reported this to their Delhi office. The contractors were also asked to give an explanation in this regard,” according to sources with DMRC. Meanwhile, other contractors are ahead in construction works, sources added. “Larsen and Toubro has already completed the construction of 500 piles while another contractor Soma has built 150 piles,” the sources added.
Maharaja’s Donates Land for Metro
The authority of Ernakulam Maharaja’s College, on Friday, handed over 16.4 cents of land belonging to the College, to Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) for the Kochi Metro Rail project. The land will be used for the construction of the entrance to the Maharaja’s College Station of the Metro Rail.
This was decided in a meeting attended by the college principal, students, students union representatives and other authorities concerned. The present proposal excludes the hockey ground.