CHENNAI:After work on the two packages of underground stretch got hit with Russian-based firm Mosmetrostroy, one of the key contractors of Chennai Metro Rail, walking out of the project, Chennai Metro rail is now pinning its hopes on Gammon, to complete the project. With a total of 77.5 per cent of tunnelling work already completed, the walkout by Mosmetrostroy came as a blow since the two packages were a joint venture between the Russia-based firm and Gammon India.
“Currently, tunneling works has been completed in 28,140 metre of 36,308 metres stretch,” a metro rail spokesman said. The joint venture between Mosmetrostroy and Gammon covers two packages. These includes Saidapet to DMS and May Day Park to DMS.
A Chennai Metro Rail spokesman said that while one part of the stretch along the Saidapet to DMS is complete the tunnel boring machine in the other stretch is short of 300 metres. Similarly, both the stretches between May Day Park to DMS is only 50 per cent complete.
The Chennai Metro Rail spokesman said that the alleged Rs 28 crore worth of funds that were not paid to sub contractors of Russian-based firm Mosmetrostroy should be paid by Gammon India. “We don’t know how much money Mosmetrostroy owes to the sub-contractors. Since it is a joint venture, Gammon should sort out the issue,” he said.
Metro Rail sources said that the underground stretch is likely to be delayed. “We may ask Gammon to complete the project. We are also looking at the India sub contractors as well as workers who could be hired by Gammon to complete the work,” the spokesman said.
Chennai Vendors Association has alleged that Mosmetrostroy has failed to pay its 64 subcontractors and left the project work. CMRL sources refused to give the reasons on why Mosmetrostroy left the project abruptly.
The Gammon-Mosmetrostroy joint venture was awarded two contracts of design and construction of underground stations and associated tunnels for CMRL weorth Rs 1,947 crore covering a total length of 18 km. The sub-contractors supplied sand, cement and brick, bolts and steel bars.