CMRL floats tenders calling for fresh contractors to complete remaining work on Anna Salai.

For months together, it seemed as if there was no progress at all in the Chennai Metro Rail project after one of its principal contractors abandoned the project. But now, work is gradually picking up as a portion of tunnelling on the 3.3-kilometre stretch from Saidapet to AG-DMS has been completed.

This development comes after Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) directed Afcons Infrastructure Limited to take up tunnelling work on this portion, which Russia-based Mosmetrostroy abandoned in May. Two months later, CMRL terminated the contract of Gammon India.

In 2011, CMRL awarded a joint venture contract worth Rs. 1,947 crore to Gammon India and Mosmetrostroy for the construction of seven underground stations along Anna Salai.

But a year later, CMRL sent a show cause notice to Gammon India for delay in the construction work. The contractor said there was a lot of difficulty in carrying out tunnelling work owing to the challenging soil conditions and other issues.

Subsequently, it sought an extension of 18 months from the original deadline of 2015, but CMRL refused to grant extra time. In May 2015, all of a sudden, Mosmetrostroy abandoned the project halfway owing to financial crunch and the project came to a standstill. After the Gammon India’s contract was terminated, the contractor sought a stay on the termination, and the case is in court.

Meanwhile, CMRL has floated tenders calling for fresh contractors to complete the balance work along the Anna Salai stretch.