Title - Reliance Infra likely to extend Airport Metro line to Gurgaon

New Delhi: Despite the not so good experience with it, Delhi Metro might award the contract to extend the Airport Metro Express till Gurgaon to its operator Reliance Infrastructure, which has been imposed a liquidity damage of Rs 60.375 crore for non-completion of work on time. Delhi Metro chief Mangu Singh indicated this in an interaction with reporters when he said the current operator is in the 'best position' to get the extension corridor so that there are no problems.The Airport Metro Express would be extended till Gurgaon that would provide high-speed direct connectivity between Delhi and its satellite city.Since Delhi Metro is not happy with the performance of the Reliance Infra-led Airport Express, there was speculation on how the line would be constructed."Here is a situation where the same line has to be extended to Gurgaon. You cannot construct another line to Gurgaon. There is no possibility of having a separate line.The same line has to be extended. So, here is a case where you don't have much options," Singh said, as he admitted that there are "shortcomings" on the Airport Corridor. "Therefore the present operator is in a best position to take up that part work. That is in the best interest of everybody. We don't have much of choice," he said.Asked whether any decision has been taken in this regard, he said the Delhi Metro was working out a model and will go for open tender."Modalities like how the trains will be operated has to be worked out. Then we will suggest a model to the government," he said.To a specific question, Singh said a liquidity damage of Rs 60.375 crore have been imposed on Reliance Infrastructure for not completing work on time.A total of Rs 43.375 crore of liquidity damage have been recovered as on today, he said.The amount was levied for delay in commissioning of the corridor. Though the deadline was October 2010, the line became operational only in February 2011.