Delhi Metro chief visited accident site in May. Had advised demolition of the killer pillar. Reportedly, his technical advisers shot it down
Delhi Metro chief visited accident site in May. Had advised demolition of the killer pillar. Reportedly, his technical advisers shot it down
If Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) Managing Director E Sreedharan had trusted his judgement instead of listening to his advisers, Anshuman Pratihar might have been alive today.
The twenty-eight-year-old site engineer from Kolkata, working with Gammon India, a contractor carrying out Metro construction in Delhi, was one of the victims of Sunday morning's accident near Kailash Colony in South Delhi, in which six people were killed as blocks from a 'cracked' Metro pillar fell on them.
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Falling from the sky: The Delhi Metro Rail accident site near East of Kailash on Sunday. At least six people were killed when an under construction pillar collapsed. PIC/IMTIYAZ KHAN |
Sreedharan had visited the site in May this year and if sources in DMRC are to be believed, he had advised the killer pillar be demolished as he was 'unhappy with its safety standards.' However, his technical advisers shot down the idea and the pillar remained with a few 'hasty patchworks.'
"During his visit to the spot in May, Sreedharan had advised field officials to bring down the pillar. However, as the DMRC technical committee assured him it was not a grave problem and would not pose any danger, he did not persist," said a senior DMRC official wishing anonymity.u00a0 Sreedharan accepted the pillar had developed cracks.
While addressing the media after the accident, Sreedharan said, "It is very rare I defy suggestions of my colleagues."u00a0 While the DMRC head was hinting that his colleagues had tried to dissuade him from resigning, did the comment inadvertently reveal an inner turmoil?
Killer pillar
The accident took place as one of the pillars of the under-construction bridge gave in when a launcher was fixing a concrete segment close to Lady Sriram College at around 5am on Sunday.
When the pillar had started showing cracks in March this year, work in the section was halted and a technical committee comprising senior DMRC officials was formed to survey the problem. "The technical committee had advised reinforcement measures to strengthen the pillar. Gammon India, the contractor, reinforced the pillar but it wasn't enough," said a senior official working with DMRC, wishing anonymity.
Here lies the cause
The main reason behind the incident, if DMRC insiders are to be believed, is insufficient time in which the project had to be completed. "The project plan for the 20-km-long Badarpur-Central Secretariat line (of which the deadly pillar was a part) was approved by the Central government in 2008. The route had to be finished before the Commonwealth Games. If the contractor went by the safety book, he wouldn't have been able to meet the deadline. So he cut corners," said the official.
Taking responsibility
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Smelt something fishy? Metroman E Sreedharan announcing his resignation as DMRC managing director at Metro headquarters in New Delhi on Sundayu00a0u00a0 PIC/RAJEEV TYAGI |
While addressing the media on Sunday, Sreedharan said he may not be 'directly connected with the accident' and was taking moral responsibility. But senior Metro officials insist he knew he was 'involved.'
"The DMRC was aware of the problem, it also took measures to correct it. Yet, the accident happened. The blame thus, lies, directly at Sreedharan's door. If he had insisted, the contractor would have demolished the pillar and constructed a new one, which wouldn't have taken too long. Sreedharan was aware of the problems and maybe this is what added to his guilt and he resigned," said the top official.
Anuj Dayal, chief public relation officer, DMRC, refused to comment. "Being the head of the organization, he (Sreedharan) has taken moral responsibility for the failure and put in his papers," said Dayal.
Did Guru ask Sreedharan to resign?
At around 5.10 am on Sunday, Metroman E Sreedharan, who was in Bangalore, was informed of the deadly pillar collapse. But the DMRC chief didn't take the first flight to Delhi at 6:30 am. "I could not take the early flight as I had some work," said Sreedharan on Sunday.
Eyebrows were raised at the otherwise responsible man's irresponsible behaviour. The reason, sources in DMRC say, was purely of the soul. Allegedly, Sreedharan took some time to consult his spiritual guide Guru Swami Bhoomanand Tirtha, who too was in Bangalore. Sreedharan took the next flight at 9:30 am. "Maybe his guru advised him to resign," said a DMRC official close to Sreedharan.
What Metro said when it failed
Oct 19, 2008 An under-construction flyover collapsed at Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi because of mechanical failure. It led to the death of at least two people. Nearly 30 were injured.
DMRC "There might have been errors like faulty anchoring of the machine. Safety pins should have been in place and all bolts should have been tightened before start of launching. Two of the corporation's engineers have been suspended for a seemingly technical failure. Also, a fine of Rs 1 million has been imposed on the contractor, AFCONS, (in charge of the segment near the accident site)," said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.u00a0
Sep 30, 2008
A prisoner was injured after he got dragged by a Metro train across the length of the Chandni Chowk platform. The prisoner, Joginder, 35, was tied to another prisoner with a rope and was escorted by three policemen. He seemed to have got off the train but his partner remained inside the coach. The otherwise sensitive doors of the Metro train shut and the train began to move with the rope stuck between the doors. Joginder got dragged till the end of the platform where fortunately it snapped, saving his life.
DMRC
"The door would not open for clothing. In such a situation, the train would stop only if other passengers inside the train press the emergency alarm and get the driver to apply emergency brakes to stop the train.''
July 18, 2008
A malfunctioning crane at a Metro construction site near Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital dropped a four-tonne iron beam on a passing Tavera car. While the driver, Manoj, 23, was trapped inside the car for some time and sustained multiple fractures, another passenger sustained minor injuries.
DMRC
"A review meeting will be held to decide on improving safety measures. Maximum compensation will be given to the victims. A case of negligence has been registered."
Aug 28, 2007
A crane driver died after a concrete block fell on him due to a 'technical failure' at a Delhi Metro construction site at Mayur Vihar in east Delhi. The victim, B Singh, was an employee of Navyug Construction Company that is building the Metro line on the Mayur Vihar-Noida stretch.
DMRC
"It was a technical failure and we have set up an inquiry team to look into the matter. We will see that the victim's family gets maximum compensation."
