Delhi Metro threatens to end PPP with Reliance Infra
10 Dec 2011
The operator of the Delhi Metro on Friday threatened to take over the Airport Metro Express corridor operated by Reliance Infrastructure if it fails to improve train speed and frequency and reduce check-in time for fliers.
''If they (Reliance Infrastructure) don't improve, then we will have to think of even terminating the arrangements. We can take over and there is a provision for taking over (in the agreement),'' Delhi Metro managing director E Sreedharan, told PTI in an interview.
Sreedharan, who will demit office on 31 December after an eventful 16-year tenure during which he has become directly identified with the success of the metro, said the organisation will wait for another three to four months for the operator to improve the service quality.
''At least they should show their intention to improve,'' he said. ''Otherwise, we will have to take over.''
He said Delhi Metro's PPP (public-private partnership) experience was not very pleasant with the airport model. In fact, he went so far as to say that PPP projects have never been successful.
