DELHI: The Delhi government’s order to ban all construction-related activities for five days in view of the high levels of pollution in the city is likely to impact the scheduling of phase-III of the Delhi Metro.
The project, which is already running behind schedule, has been trying to make up for the delays by ramping up the construction activity at stations and some track locations, reports The Times of India.
In fact, work on the corridor at Punjabi Bagh and Mayapuri has only recently started, admitted officials.
“There will be some impact on our work due to the advisory on dust control measures at our construction site but we are implementing them in the larger public interest and hope to make up for the lost time,” said Anuj Dayal, spokesman, Delhi Metro.
Dayal said Metro was taking several measures at construction sites to adhere to the Delhi government’s order, including suspending excavation and backfilling work as well as dry dismantling of concrete or brick, which is likely to cause dust pollution and dry stone cutting. “Any other activity causing dust will also be suspended for five days. We are also installing additional water sprinkling at all sites,” he added.
Asked how the suspension of these activities would impact the project, Dayal refused to elaborate. However, sources said that Delhi Metro had asked concerned contractors to get back on track after the past few days of festivals and holidays. This phase, which was earlier expected to be completed by the end of 2016, is now scheduled to be ready in the first quarter of 2017.
