Reliance Infra to seek compensation from Metro

Reliance Infrastructure has decided to claim compensation from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the loss it is bearing due to suspension of Metro service on the airport express line. Subhendu Ray reports.

Reliance Infrastructure has decided to claim compensation from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the loss it is bearing due to suspension of Metro service on the airport express line.

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The concessionaire is in the process of calculating the claim amount. "(However), we will forward the claim for compensation only after services resume," said a spokesperson of Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure.

DAMEPL is the concessionaire of the 22.7km high-speed airport Metro express, services of which was suspended on July 8 following identification of major damages in the civil construction on its elevated portion.

Sources said claims would be made on several heads, including loss of revenue from ridership and advertisements, loss of brand image and also if any retailer cancels its tie with the concessionaire due to suspension of train services. They indicated that the amount would be in few hundred crores at least and this could add to the financial burden of the already cash-strapped DMRC.

In May and June this year, the company had made several claims worth Rs245 crore, which, according to the DAMEPL spokesperson, are yet to be settled.

"These claims were made as per the clauses mentioned in the concessionaire agreement under several heads. DMRC is evaluating the claims and we hope they would make the payment without delay," said the spokesperson.

Jitendra Tyagi, director (works), DMRC, said: "Whatever is the claim, payment would be made as per the guidelines laid down in the concessionaire agreement. Payment would be made as per arbitration."

Meanwhile, citing loss, the DAMEPL had also sought deferment of annual concession fee of about Rs51 crore to DMRC.