Re’Action on Accident at Metro Site in Parliament

Shahnawaz Khan

New Delhi,,,Minister for Urban Development regarding accident at Delhi Metro construction site in the Parliament:

“As I have already apprised the House on 13th July, 2009, a launching girder along with a portion of Metro viaduct collapsed at Zamrudpur near East of Kailash in South Delhi at about 5.00 A.M. on 12th July 2009. A high level four member Inquiry Committee was constituted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to investigate the incident. Subsequently, the Chief Engineer (Design) of DMRC was withdrawn from the Committee on 21st July’09 and the remaining Experts have now submitted the Report. The main findings of the Committee regarding the causes of the accident are:-

(i) Serious deficiency in the design of the cantilever arm; and

(ii) The concrete not having the adequate strength probably due to lack of adequate curing of the concrete.

DMRC has decided to take the following action:-

The Design Consultants, M/s Arch Consultancy Services to be blacklisted for five years. The structural consultant M/s Tondon consultants, who did not give the correct advice to DMRC, is being debarred for two years.

Shri V.P Srivastava and Shri Mukesh Thakur, the two Deputy Chief Engineers directly responsible for the designs and site supervision, have been placed under suspension.

Shri Rajan Kataria, the Chief Engineer (Design), DMRC to be issued with a major penalty charge sheet.

Shri C. Mallonga, the expatriate Consultant of General Consultants, who had direct responsibility for ensuring quality of works, to be immediately de-mobilised and replaced. The Contractor M/s Gammon India to be issued a show-cause notice for blacklisting for two years.

Shri Vijay Anand, the Director of DMRC in whose jurisdiction this accident took place as well the previous accident involving a launching girder collapse, has been repatriated back to the Railways.

The DMRC has started a special drive to check all the cantilever piers so far constructed and their designs are now being rechecked by M/s Shirish Patel and Associates, a well known Design Consultant. Based on their advice, necessary action will be taken to ensure that all the cantilever piers are safe.

The DMRC has also decided to get all the designs checked in future by the General Consultants or by an outside Consultancy. The Design Wing of DMRC is also being substantially strengthened.

The General Consultants are also being strengthened to ensure safety and quality of construction.

DMRC has also initiated steps to revitalize the Tool Box Safety Drill to all the workers before commencement of the shift. DMRC has also started a crash course for three days in safety rules and regulations for every worker involved at the construction site. The entire work force will be covered within a period of 15 days.”