Reliance deboards, DMRC to run Airport Express

Come July 1, DMRC will operate the high-speed Airport Express, which has had a rough and controversial ride for the two years it has been in operation.

Come July 1, DMRC will operate the high-speed Airport Express, which has had a rough and controversial ride for the two years it has been in operation.

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Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, has snapped ties with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, leaving it to run the 22.7-km line that links New Delhi station to Dwarka Sector 21 through IGI airport.

In a letter to Delhi Metro, DAMEPL said it will not operate the airport line, the country’s first public private partnership project, from the night of June 30. DMRC directors, who met on Friday, asked DAMEPL to continue or it would be in breach of agreement.

DAMEPL, however, has refused to go back on its decision.

“If they do not run the service, we will step in and operate the line from Monday morning,” DMRC chief Mangu Singh said.

DAMEPL denied violating terms. "There is a provision in the concessionaire agreement that DAMEPL can terminate agreement on the ground of material breach," a source said.

The concessioner wanted out of the loss-making service in October, but DMRC didn't accept it.

Services were disrupted on the line for seven months beginning last July after damage to some pillars and track was detected.

DMRC, responsible for the civil works, was required to complete the repairs in 90 days but took seven months.

On July 1, the entire property, developed at a cost of R5,800 crore, will be handed over to DMRC.