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Back to back mishaps hit India's showcase Delhi Metro 
WSN Network

NEW DELHI: Double whammy struck India's showpiece of developmet, the Delhi Metro, when six persons died on Sunday morning after they were buried under the debris of an elevated pre-fabricated plank of Metro rail and then the very next day six more were injured when cranes were working to pull down a huge girder hanging precariously.

Jolted by the accident, the much celebrated chief of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, E Sreedhara, put in his papers assuming moral responsibility but Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asked him to continue.

There were allegations that work was being contracted and then subcontracted and corners were being cut in order to get the Metro running and stick to a deadline of June 2010. But it may not be able to make it in time now. “The delay could be of three or more months,” said Sreedharan, adding “it would still be ready in time for the Commonwealth games.”

An inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The dead were identified as a junior engineer of Gammon India, the engineering firm contracted the construction work for this stretch, and five workers.

Questions were raised about the safety measures and also about work conditions. Most workers work 12-hour shifts, are not allowed to form any unions and a committee that was to study safety was never set up. Now a safety audit has been ordered.

Many fngers were being riased because of the fact that the particular pillar no. 67 that could not stand the weight of the cantilever and girder and gave way has had a history – it had developed cracks in February.

15 July  2009
 

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