Operating the Airport Express line appears to be an equally uphill task for Delhi Metro. Though the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has taken over the operations of the 23 km line from Monday, it faces a host of challenges that includes curbing the Rs 4 crore losses per month, a long drawn arbitration procedure with Reliance Infrastructure (the erstwhile operator of the line), paying off over Rs 3,000 crore debts incurred on the line and employee remuneration among others.
Delhi Metro management seemed in no hurry to operate the line as it said that it has just taken over the operations of the line, but the overall management of the Corridor remains as earlier.
No easy resolution is in sight on the ongoing dispute between Reliance Infra and DMRC to operate and manage India’s first high speed corridor, which connects the central Delhi with the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Terminal 3. Although keeping the commuters’ interests in mind and mounting pressure from the Centre, the Corporation has taken over the operations of the Airport link, it is being extra cautious to take control of the overall management of the line, which has been mired in disputes since its beginning. Though the team of 100 officials created by DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh took charge of the operations and maintenance of the line from Monday, Director Operations DMRC, Sharat Sharma admitted that the Corporation has only taken over the operations of the Corridor, but the overall management remains unchanged.
He said that operating the corridor poses a huge challenge to DMRC and Delhi Metro will operate the line till a final decision is reached on its operations. He added that the matter is in arbitration and nothing can be commented about the final decision. “According to the DAMEPl balance sheet, the operational cost of the line is Rs 7 crore a month, while the revenue generated is Rs 3 crore. As per the figures, the line incurs Rs 4 crore losses per month and to increase footfalls in order to minimise the losses is a huge challenge confronting us,” he added.
He further said that though DMRC has been handed over the responsibility to run the line, the assets including the station property and rolling stock are yet to be transferred. The settlement on this transfer will be reached through the ongoing arbitration procedure. He clarified that without succumbing to blame game with Reliance Infra, DMRC has taken charge of the operations of the line in favour of the public. On the decision over DAMEPl employees, he said that the required number of employees will be absorbed.