: Moves have begun afresh at the bureaucratic level to keep the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC) away from the Light Metro mooted for two cities in the State, by not seeking its remarks on the queries, especially technical aspects, raised by the Finance Department on the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The move is at a time when the DPR submitted for the Rs.6,728-crore Light Metro on October 8 last by the DMRC is slated to come up before the Cabinet after the Aruvikkara by-election overcoming several hurdles.
The Finance Department had mooted the PPP mode instead of turn-key basis suggested by DMRC as in Kochi Metro.
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on May 18 had decided to go by the DMRC recommendation after DMRC Principal Adviser E. Sreedharan assured the STEP loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and the Chief Secretary had noted their views in the file containing the DPR when it reached them to be placed in the Cabinet as directed by the Chief Minister.
Global tenders mooted
Official sources told The Hindu that the bureaucrats had pointed out the need to float global tenders for awarding the consultancy instead of selecting the DMRC on nomination basis and to adopt the PPP mode. Citing the Palmolein case, the government has also been asked to be cautious while giving the nod.
The PWD, the administrative department, nor the Kerala Monorail Corporation Ltd (KMCL) — the special purpose vehicle set up for executing the project — has not till date sought the DMRC’s remarks on the queries raised by the Finance Department. The PWD Secretary had also taken a stand not to seek the comments of the DMRC on the queries.
The bureaucratic move is to pass the responsibility to the Cabinet to arrive at a decision on the technical issues raised by the Finance, sources said. In the absence of expert opinion on MRTS, those aiming at the ouster of DMRC are hoping that the Cabinet would not favour the DPR and that they can turn the tables against Mr. Sreedharan and delay the project.
Mr. Sreedharan held discussion with the country head of JICA in New Delhi on May 19 for securing loan for the MRTS projects. Further delay in sending the proposal to the Department of Economic Affairs will diminish the chances of getting loans during the current financial year, it has been pointed out.
Queries raised by Finance department on DPR
Finance Department had mooted the PPP mode
