Delhi govt seeks report on scrapping of BRT Corridor

Update: 2015-03-17 23:24 GMT
According to sources, the government is also likely to revive its previous order of CAG audit of DIMTS, the agency responsible for construction and implementation of the project.

The existing 5.8 km of the BRT Corridor was constructed within Rs 150 crore and over Rs 14 crore were spent on intelligent signalling system (ISS). Besides, it charged Rs 10-12 crore per year for maintenance of the track. The MLAs termed the project as a ‘huge scam’ and demanded the revival order of CAG audit, said a senior officer of Delhi government.

During its previous stint, the AAP government had ordered a CAG audit, which is apparently pending at the office of Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung. According to sources, the new government is also looking into the allegations of corruption in DIMTS as it gets government orders to implement projects on its quoted rates without bidding.

“The transport department has been asked to give a presentation on five points. They are – the idea behind BRT, was it achieved? What and why it failed? Is there any scope for improvement? What is the ultimate solution?” said a senior government officer. The transport department has been asked to give the presentation as soon as possible, but according to sources, the department has sought 15 days time to give a presentation on the issue.

“The people of the area don’t want BRT. It’s a failed project and has become a major problem for the people,” said Saurabh Bhardwaj, MLA, Greater Kailash and former transport minister of Delhi. He, along with MLAs of Kasturba Nagar, Sangam Vihar and Deoli, met Jain on Saturday, pushing for the scrapping of the project at the earliest.

Interestingly, there is an apparent dispute between the officers of Public Works Department (PWD) and transport departments of Delhi government on giving the presentation. “The BRT is presently maintained by the PWD, so the transport department has nothing to do with it. Furthermore, the transport department has asked DIMTS to give presentation on its behalf, which is more troublesome, as it will always defend its project,” said the officer. According to sources, the present finance secretary of the Delhi government, S N Sahai, who was the head of the DIMTS at the time of construction and implementation of BRT, has been authorised to give the presentation.

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