Even before it could run on the track, the Jaipur Metro has earned a dubious distinction of missing deadlines. After missing the June and then the July deadline, the much-touted project is now set to miss the third deadline of August 2013.
The Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) formally announced that its project will miss the extended deadline of August 2013.
This means that the ruling Congress government will have to either inaugurate the Jaipur Metro before it is even ready to ferry passengers or altogether miss the opportunity to flag it off. By August, the election code of conduct is likely to be enforced for the assembly elections due in November-December.
After reviewing the project’s civil and electrification works’ progress reports at its 15th board meeting on Friday, JMRC top officials realized that by August the Metro will be ready only for trial runs and that too between the Mansarovar and Shyam Nagar stations. The Metro’s commercial operation-when it can carry the passengers-will be possible, at the earliest, by October.
While talking to media, chief managing director (CMD) N C Goel, said, “Due to delay in civil construction work, trial run from Mansarovar station to Shyam Nagar will be possible.” Earlier, the project missed the July 2013 deadline.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials blamed price escalation and shortage of skilled labourers for the delay in project completion. “The pace of work was affected due to price escalation as contracted firms were facing losses. More skilled workers cannot be hired as financial losses were mounting,” said an official.
At the meeting, JMRC approved the design of the smart card to be used by Metro passengers. To decide the fare for various routes, a five-member committee was also constituted. The committee will submit the report in August.
The JMRC will initiate the tender process in August for the construction of Metro project phase I (B), proposed from Badi Chaupar to Chandpole, and based on an engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) model. “The Asian Development Bank (ADB) bank has approved the loan of USD 176 million. The last date to receive tenders is August 2. The work for the project will be initiated by the end of August.”
Decision to increase the share capital of JMRC from Rs 1500 crore to Rs 2000 crore was also decided in the meeting.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Jaipur-Metro-to-miss-deadline-third-time/articleshow/20824903.cms