The underground network of Chennai Metro Rail may fail to meet its 2015 deadline and be delayed by a year, say sources.
According to an official of Gammon India, one of the contractors engaged by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), completion of the seven underground stations on Anna Salai will take another six months.
In 2012, CMRL had issued a show-cause notice, on the delay in work at some stations, to Gammon India.
In December 2012, Gammon India had sought an extension of 18 months from the original deadline of 2015 but CMRL agreed only to an additional 10 months from June 2015.
CMRL had awarded the Rs. 1,947-crore contract to Gammon India for the construction of the underground stations of Government Estate, LIC, Thousand Lights, Gemini, Teynampet, Chamiers Road and Saidapet.
Gammon representatives attribute the delay to difficulty in tunnelling, challenging soil conditions, land acquisition problems and utility diversion issues, including trouble in locating underground telephone and electricity cables.
Since the seven stations are located on the arterial Anna Salai, the progress is slow due to lack of adequate space and traffic snarls, says the official.
Elevated stretch too, in trouble
Recently, another contractor — Consolidated Construction Consortium Limited (CCCL), responsible for the elevated stretch from Koyambedu to St. Thomas Mount — was served notices by CMRL for delay in completion of work.
The contract with CCCL may be terminated, say sources.
