Title - Delhi Metro Rail Corporation gives work lesson for PWD

KOCHI: By constructing the side bays of the North ROB in record time, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is giving the state a lesson in development. The new work culture has been welcomed by citizens used to project delays and incomplete works undertaken by agencies such as the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Road and Bridges Co-operation - Kerala (RBDC-K). According to DMRC principal adviser E Sreedharan, the side bays are ready and can be opened for public once the agency receives approval of the police. The Rs 80-crore reconstruction project has been executed by the DMRC within the stipulated time frame of 14 months. Compare this to other projects completed in the city recently: Edappally RoB, which was sanctioned in 2004, was opened for traffic in February 2012 after a long delay at a cost of Rs 36 crore. Though the Railways completed the portion over the rails five years ago, work on approach roads were delayed. Now, take the case of Pullepady ROB. Though the project was opened for public two years ago, the proposed widening of the approach road has still not been completed. This delay has occurred despite chief minister Oommen Chandy's assurance that the government would provide Rs 25 crore for carrying it out. Experts attribute the success of DMRC to the steady flow of funds and their method of undertaking the work on a deposit scheme basis. "Since Kochi Metro is one of the prestigious projects undertaken by the state government, it was ensured that funds were provided on demand. DMRC got the support of the revenue department which formed a special wing to speed up land acquisition," said a retired PWD official, who has been following Metro's progress. Though, the North ROB project was initially estimated to cost about Rs 40 crore, the construction cost went up to about Rs 80 crore. No objections were raised and DMRC could move ahead with their plans. The district administration had also provided its full support, negotiating with land owners and the trading community. The district collector ensured the cooperation of various government departments to help DMRC compete the work. The state government intervened to tackle objections and apprehensions raised by Kochi corporation and DMRC was able to tide over such difficult situations. Though organisations like PWD and RBDC-K have qualified and experienced staff they do not enjoy this elevated status of DMRC, critics pointed out. The contractors employed by these agencies are often not paid on time. They are bound to follow a rigid system where there is a standard schedule for every item required for construction. The detailed estimates prepared have to be approved by the chief engineer, and all major variations on the estimate should be approved by the chief technical officer. Before giving sanctions, the officer has to also make site inspection. "The contractors are forced to wait for months to get their bills cleared. Disgruntled contractors abandon work midway and the authorities are forced to retender work. Delay in completing these procedures slows down project implementation," said chairman, town planning committee, K J Sohan in defence of PWD. DMRC could bring in contractors who have technical experts, advanced machinery and a competent labour force to do the work. While they adopted modern methods of construction, such practices are not adopted by other agencies. To avoid the regular method of dumping construction materials at the work site, DMRC secured permission to use the 2.8-acre land owned by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) at Manapattiparambu. The metro authority also stocked construction materials and stationed machinery at this location from where they carried out the casting of girders. High precision machines like concrete cutters and drilling machines were used to demolish the side bays of North ROB. Most of these works, including placing girders on the bridge, were carried out during the night when the movement of the traffic was less. So, normal life in the city was not affected and noise and air pollution kept at a minimum. Though the practice of dumping waste at areas near Vallarpadam triggered controversies, the district collector intervened to settle the issue and provided a facility to dispose debris from the work site.