Even as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to open tenders in a month for civil works pending in Kochi metro’s first phase, it is most unlikely that any of the three existing contractors will bid for retender.
The pending works include constructing viaduct and stations on the Maharaja’s College Ground-South Railway Station stretch and the Kunnara Park-Pettah-Tripunithura stretch. The DMRC had during the past year partially dismissed two civil contractors, one for inordinate delay in completing works and the other for demanding 40 per cent extra to complete an extension work. Similarly, it imposed penalty on yet another firm for inordinate delay in constructing metro station buildings, following which a part of the work was retendered.
Sources in one of the firms said it could not afford to execute civil works at the rate agreed upon since there was delay in handing over land and subsequent cost escalation. “There were also major hassles in shifting utilities like pipelines and cables, following which work suffered. But we were threatened with penalty for delay. There will be delay of over five years in settling dues even if we opt for arbitration and demand a nominally higher rate. Thus, we are keen to wrap up pending works and move out,” they said.
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Kochi’s narrow roads also forced contractors to deploy men and machinery to frequently shift barricades. “Still, Kochi metro is set to become arguably the fastest to be completed in India,” they added.
Responding to this, DMRC sources said there were many other competent civil firms that have pan-India presence. “We do not insist on any firm participating in any bid. They are free not to participate in the work. We are keen to get possession of land required so that pending works can start off,” they said.