Resumption of services of Delhi Metro's Airport Express is mired by uncertainty with
Reliance Infrastructure - that operates the airport line - refusing to indicate a
time-frame for completing repairs on the line.
The line was shut down after independent consultants reported about the risk of derailment on account of serious defects in piers, piers caps, bearings and girders on the elevated stretch of the corridor.
"We are currently carrying out the modalities of repair work. There are 2,000 bearings to be repaired and each bearing has unique design feature and repair requirements," Reliance Infrastructure CEO Lalit Jalan has said.
A Reliance Infrastructure-led consortium called the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) has a 30-year concession to operate the line, which was closed down since July 8 for an indefinite period for repairs.
The 23-km-long line connects New Delhi railway station with the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
"The line has a speed capability of 120 kmph and
the safety of Delhi people was the paramount concern when we decided to close it down. No other way was feasible," Jalan said.
Reliance Infrastructure reported a 15 per cent drop in net profit year-on-year for the quarter ended June 30.
Jalan admitted that the closure of the Airport Expressway would mean heavy losses for the company and they would claim these from the
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) , which has built the line.
The central government set up a committee in July comprising officials from the Indian Railways, Delhi Metro and Reliance Infrastructure to go into the nature of the defects.
"The railways have the best relevant competence in the matter. Only after complete repairs, when the line is made good and re-certified, both by DMRC and Reliance Infrastructure, will the line be started," Jalan said.
With inputs from IANS
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