New Delhi: Delhi government does not want Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to take up any work for Metro network in Lucknow. The city government has cautioned DMRC from taking up any interim consultancy work, which may cause embarrassment to the organization at a later stage.

Sources said Delhi chief secretary Deepak Mohan Spolia wrote a letter to the DMRC managing director last week suggesting the agency not to make a commitment to the UP government. The issue was also raised in the DMRC board meeting last week.

This will have direct impact on the timeframe that UP government has proposed for completion of the first phase of 24 km in the city. The delay to get even an interim consultant will mean the projects deadline will get extended, said a government official.

UP government has approved the first phase of the Metro project estimated at Rs 8,000 crore. The north-south corridor would connect Lucknow Airport to Munshi Pulia. The first phase of the project is set to be complete by 2016-17.

Though DMRC officials confirmed receiving the Delhi government letter, they refused to comment. Spolia could not be reached.

This is the second time Delhi government has opposed DMRC taking up work in UP. Earlier, the government had objected to DMRCs role in extension of two Metro corridors in Noida and Ghazaibad claiming that the corporation has too much work.

In her letter to A K Antony, who heads the GoM on mass transit system, Dikshit said maintaining the Delhi Metro is a demanding task and diverting its resources may adversely affect its functioning.

Delhi government has equal say in DMRC, like that of Central government, since the public sector body has 50:50 partnership.

Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com

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