Title - Metro not so rapid, launch in June

GURGAON: Despite the claims made by Rapid Metro authorities that the commercial operations will begin by May end, the deadline is most likely expected to be pushed to the second half of June. Talking to TOI, the CMRS ( Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety) said that he was yet to receive any sort of communication from the Rapid Metro authorities requesting him to carry out the mandatory inspection of the entire network. This inspection is necessary before the line can be opened for the public.Confirming that the request for inspection was yet to be sent to to the CMRS, a Rapid Metro spokesperson said, "Our track work is complete and trial runs have commenced along the entire track. Civil work at all stations is complete, except Gateway Towers. We are in the process of obtaining necessary clearances."The spokesperson added that Rapid Metro would be sending its request to the CMRS shortly. The fact is that it will take some weeks for the process of inspection after the letter is dispatched. Hence it can be safely assumed that the inauguration of the country's first private rail service may be held in the second half of June.When asked when he would come to Gurgaon to inspect the line, the CMRS, R K Kardam, said, "I have not received any letter or communication from Rapid Metro authorities and therefore I cannot tell you when I will do so. I am yet to receive any sort of information from their side." Sources also said that since this is the first time a private body is building and operating the Metro system in the country, the checks will be more stringent and the inspection is expected to take a little longer.

All along the Rapid Metro officials have claimed that the commercial operations would begin by the last week of May, insisting that all major work has been completed. However, sources within Rapid Metro affirm that work in many departments is lagging behind and the May-end deadline seems highly impossible.

While the project initially took off in June 2010, the Metro authorities had claimed that the network will be operational in January 2013. However, the deadline kept getting extended and the latest deadline was announced as May 2013. In fact, as and when the network is thrown open for commercial operations, one station out of the total six will not be not be operational as civil work is still under way.

"We will begin our operations with only five stations as the work at the Shankar Chowk station is still under way. The delay was caused as the construction here started late because of issues related to land acquisition," said an official.