Airport metro extension: DMRC wants to go for it alone

The airport expressline’s extension to Gurgaon may not be built on a public private partnership (PPP) model. Subhendu Ray reports.

The airport expressline’s extension to Gurgaon may not be built on a public private partnership (PPP) model.

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DMRC, keen to award the project to Reliance Infrastructure, now wants sole charge of the project.

“The Haryana government has to decide if they will award the project to us or to any private player. We would prefer to do it on our own,” Mangu Singh, director (works), DMRC said.

He said DMRC will submit the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed corridor to the Haryana government soon.

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), however, wants DMRC to take a call. “Once DMRC decides, then we will decide on the cost sharing policy,” said BBL Kaushik, chief town planner NCR, HUDA.

DMRC is apparently unhappy with Reliance Infrastructure’s performance as they missed several deadlines for the airport expressline. “The speed trial, too, is pending. This is a grave failure on their part,” said a senior DMRC officer.

The company, however, still hopes to get the project. “We are interested in the project but yet to receive any formal communication," said a Reliance Infrastructure spokesperson.

If the DPR is cleared, the 11-km corridor’s extension will be included in the Metro’s phase 3. “In that case the line will be ready by 2014,” said a source.

The proposed corridor connecting the airport with Iffco Chowk in Gurgaon will likely run through South City Chowk, Atul Kataria Chowk, Old Delhi Road, Sector-23, Palam Vihar and Dwarka Sector-22.