Date:23/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092360950100.htm

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Government demands DMRC chief’s apology

HYDERABAD: The government has demanded an unconditional apology from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Managing Director E. Sreedharan, failing which it has threatened to file a defamation suit for his “baseless and uncalled for” allegations against the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project.

However, later an official spokesman of DMRC faxed a clarification from New Delhi denying the comments.

“We are hurt over the negative comments and condemn the misgivings expressed by him as it got a bad name for the government and the project,” said an agitated HMR Chairman C.V.S.K. Sarma.

“The project is being done in a transparent manner and at every stage DMRC as prime consultant, has been fully participating, giving its advice in preparation of reports, tenders and bids. Not a single time did they raise any objection or doubt,” he said.

Addressing a press conference along with HMR Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy here on Monday, Dr. Sarma pointed out that the project was a matter of pride to the entire State and a competitive bid was received because of good documentation. He even dashed off a letter to DMRC MD seeking an explanation.

“Dr. Sreedharan seems to have changed his stance following the Centre favouring developing metro projects under Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model like Hyderabad in other cities,” they said.

‘Special favours’

Denying any “special favours” to Maytas-led consortium which bagged the project, HMR officials said concessions offered was common to all the five bidders.

“Unlike Delhi Metro, only leasing rights over 269 acres are being given to the BOT developer and once the concession period of 35 years is over, the land together with the built up area would be returned to the government. The developer’s concession period can be extended for a further period of 25 years if it runs successfully for 32 years but any decision to extend the routes is government’s prerogative,” they said.

HMR’s association with DMRC would be reviewed depending upon the response received from Dr. Sreedharan, said Mr. Reddy.