It seems all is not rosy for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which has undertaken the works of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
Nearly a week after the works came to a halt owing to shortage of raw materials, the DMRC is currently struggling to clear bills worth crores of rupees with three major contractors for the months of December and January. This has affected the purchase of raw materials.
However, the DMRC officials were not available for comments.
Sources said the bills were left uncleared as the KMRL has failed to sanction money to the agency to carry out the works.
As per the agreement, the KMRL has to meet the financial requirements of any project by the DMRC during its tenure.
However, KMRL mananging director Elias George dismissed any payment deadlock issues between the KMRL and the DMRC.
The DMRC has currently hired three contractors for their works between Aluva and Pettah. The issue was notified to DMRC Principal Advisor E Sreedharan.
Meanwhile, the Metro works have been disrupted owing to the the heavy shortage of raw materials. Although the officials have called off the strike, the materials are yet to reach the city.
Recently, Sreedharan has expressed his dissatisfaction over the progress of the work, especially land acquisition.
In many stretches land takeover has received a setback with the failure of the Revenue Department in disbursing timely compensation packages to landowners.
The Department is yet to pay compensation for the land acquired at Aluva, Edappally and Muttom.