Its gud that sreedharan is not quitting.
DMRC has been praised for being ahead of schedule but the swiftness should not be at human expense. What is more important than meeting deadlines is to ensure that all the work is done safely and that the quality of the construction is not compromised .

It is not that if Mr. Sreedharan resigns the problem will be solved. My view is that contractors of govt projects are politically influenced and brave enough to take mistakes easily. The site and design engineers should identified and inquired, rather than the top boss resigning.

Lack of resources
The recruitment process is not properly carried out where the right person is at right place in railways. RRB is to raise its standards and recruit more people to meet the demand.

Sai Arun
Engineer

Is DMRC jinxed ?

The double disaster, the second being more serious in which not one, or two, but three cranes involved in the lifting operation of the Launch girder toppled over has raised some serious questions about Gammon India, the prime contractor for this stretch’s capability to handle major works of this nature.

While the first mishap, of the launch girder falling down off a supposedly weak pillar, though happened in early hours of the morning, was bad enough, the second had no business to occur.

It was supposed to be a debris clearing and rescue operation and hence should have been well thought out and not simply rushed through, as revealed by the video images seen on the TV screen. Furthermore it was carried out in broad day light with enough room to maneuver.

As a result, years of painstaking work put in by the DMRC management has been apparently through sheer negligence by the Gammon India, the prime Contractor for this section seems to have been nullified in one single day ! Unfortunately it has also left the DMRC’s image in tatters.

While Shreedharan, the Managing Director DMRC in the best tradition of an excellent leader has immediately accepted the moral responsibility and sent in his resignation for the first mishap which occurred in the early hours of Sunday the 12th. July near the LSR (Lady Sri Ram) College, very many heads should roll for the second mishap which was mismanagement of the highest order, of the crane operation at the accident site !

There are very few, but simple rules in crane management especially when lifting heavy loads, such as was in the present case, of a launch girder which was over 200 tonnes as a single composite piece.

Firstly, one has to plan the whole operation in the minutest possible detail especially when more than one crane is to be deployed.
Secondly deploying more than one crane increases the risk factor as sudden transfer of load from one to another crane may be occur with disastrous effect as apparently happened in this case.

Thirdly an operation of this nature demands very slow and sure steps, starting with checking capacity of wire the ropes, ensuring that the slings are well secured and inching one’s way through the process of taking up the slack before attempting to lift the load. Maneuvering it comes very much later !

Fourth, and the most important requirement is of securing the outriggers, the steel arms which are pulled out from the side of the crane bed, and serve to prevent the crane from toppling over in the event of an sudden and unexpected overload.

Fifth, provide adequate counter weights in proportion to the load being lifted to prevent the crane from tipping over.

Last but not the least, only one person assumes commands of the whole show, with may be a couple of guys who keep a close watch over any dangerous situation developing during the operation, and halt it well in time.

Unfortunately none of these mandatory requirements seem to have been met with leaving a highly regrettable mishap, sullying DMRC’s excellent track record.

Consequent to a detailed enquiry, more skeletons may tumble out, as reportedly Shreedharan in one his earlier inspections had found the pillar in question of being substandard quality, but nothing much was done except trying to carry out some patch work which apparently was also of substandard quality.

While it is unlikely that Shreedharan’s resignation will be accepted, the Gammon India may have to face not only heavy fines but also criminal proceedings for man-slaughter.

With AFCONS, another of the Indian contractors with DMRC being involved in a similar mishap near Laxmi Nagar a few months ago, the Indian infrastructure industry needs to carry out some serious introspection, and try to put its house in order.

Training in some key areas such as operation of heavy cranes is often dispensed with as on job experience is considered adequate, which could well be he basic reason for today’s mishap. Undoubtedly if the Indian infrastructure industries intend to aim for the big bucks, they have to seriously think of putting safety before profits !

I am sure that under the able leader ship of Shreedharan DMRC WILL maintain its targets.

R.C.Acharya,
former Member (Mechanical),
Railway Board,
email :

Just to meet the deadline safety must not be compromised. To meet the deadline if they do comprise on the work will the structure be safe and will it be life long. Safety first then deadline.

It is sad that Mr. Sreedharan has resigned citing his moral responsibility.

There are very few Sreedharans in public life. If they all start resigning like this, we don't know where this corrupt country will land up! Ms. Sheila Dikshit had shown all these civil pieces to Delhi voters and got re elected. She has to take the moral responsibility. At least she can retain Mr.Sreedharan and punish the irresponsible contractor.

Mishap will happen in any large civil work; that does not mean it can happen in Delhi twice that too in Metro work.

Please get the strict safety parameters in place quickly. We pray this is the last mishap.

Deadlines aside, one wants a safe and sound execution of the project. Sreedharan is a man of integrity and stands out amongst the rarest of persons who is willing to bear the accountability for the disaster. His resignation should not be accepted.

How many people do you really think are alike Mr. E Shredharan, He is one amongst billions .He is the man who has always set example for others. We all know It is a tragedy and a very painful accident for the families of the people who died in this Accident and I am hundred percent sure Mr. shreedharan having known about the accident would not have even taken a bite of a meal for hours as he is very touchy to mankind & is really a good human being.
The first Phase of DMRC went with grace and without any bad incident but the Phase II had two major accidents, which can't be forgotten but he is the only man who can handle the situation with his experience & wisdom. I don't think there could be any delay in the Phase II project, so long as he is heading METRO (DMRC)
He took the Moral responsibility as the most of the newspapers and the electronic media has connected this project with the early completion But whereas it is absolutely a case of Gross negligence of one of the Contractors. By alleging nothing can be sorted out , the situation has to be handled calmly through ordering an enquiry for the Accident and by compensating the grieved families with abundant care.
He has been working 24x7 for this project and we expect that he finish up this phase II project with the same sincerity, Honesty & vigor.
GOD BLESS HIM
GOD BLESS DMRC for good.
suraj arora

He should not Quit. He has done alot for Delhi Metro. Good to see that he has taken moral responsibility and there in no Blame game as Indian Tradition.

It is heartening to note that there are some more Lal Bahadurs in our midst; the only thing is he belongs to bureaucracy. This trend should be there among Politicians. In Tamil there is a proverb that after swallowing a crowbar, one takes ginger dicaction. Like that there are politicians who does not care for public opinion, even if their scandal comes out with all relevant truth. This healthy tred of taking responsibility should perculate among politicians, otherwise people should teach them a good lesson. In this case poor Sridharan need not have resigned, instead he should conduct an enquiry and punish the guilty, particularly the Contractors.

He is one person who has done so much in his life professioanlly but as recently reported in the papers , he had to fight for long in the court of law for his pension, what more do you expect him to do at his age ?
It's an example for others to follow. If something goes wrong, atleast take the moral responsibily!
Delhi govt. accepts his resignation or not is yet another matter but an organisation like DMRC with so much onhand experience by now,will certainly continue to do the good work despite his leaving.
This is called the true leadership...even after one leaves, the organisation grows .
Let's thank Mr. Sreedharan for whatever he has done for us.