To ensure smooth functioning of the Airport Metro service from July 1, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has geared up to takeover the operations of the 22.7 km-long express link. With the concessionaire Reliance Infra refusing to carry on with the service, DMRC on Saturday revealed its plan for the takeover of the facility which has been at the centre of a controversy for almost a year.
An operations and maintenance team of 100 officials has been constituted under DMRC’s Director (operations) Sharat Sharma to look after operations of the airport line.
A DMRC spokesperson said that Mangu Singh, MD of the corporation has set up a core committee of seven senior officials to tackle extreme emergency situations. “Officers and staff will be deputed for all the strategic departments such as operations, traction, electrical and maintenance, civil, signalling and communications, security, rolling stock and finance”, he said.
It was also stated that an Operations Control Manager would be appointed with a dedicated team to take over the control of all the important Operations Control Centres of the line, from where the Express link operations are monitored. However, the staff currently employed by the concessionaire for the station management and train operations will be allowed to continue with their responsibilities under the DMRC’s supervision.
“Presently the strength of staff and officials at Airport line is 200. They were hired by the Reliance Infra, the concessionaire. It is not impossible to accommodate them as we need staff to run the service but any decision will be taken after deliberation later next week. We have no problems in inducting around 200 employees of DAMEPl,” said a senior DMRC official.
To chalk out the future strategy following the pull out by the Reliance Infra owned Delhi Airport Metro Express Private limited (DAMEPl), senior DMRC officials held a meeting with the officials of the concessionaire company. “Both the organisations are working together to ensure the smooth functioning of the line for the convenience of the commuters,” the DMRC spokesperson said.
Though the DMRC is determined to run the Airport Express link, it may face difficulties to clear huge debts, which are estimated at Rs 2,000 crore. Urban Development Ministry has already refused to pay the amount and banks are also not willing to lend the money to the Metro at one go. The corporation may have to struggle to get hold commercial properties along with stretch which were developed by the concessionaire since its inception.