Why DMRC is the target? DMRC is a client and it is in reality the wrong
practices and loose attitude of Engineers from design and build side who
must be held accountable. In India responsibility is not pinned down that is
the problem. Mr. Shreedharan for a gentleman he is, has still taken as this
as his failure to control and resigned. But what about basics? Method
statements for work execution are to be prepared and followed by the
contractor. Any approval as per the contracts does not absolve the
contractor of his responsibilities. Such contractors must be shown the place
they deserve - the jail like in UAE.



When we did the Delhi Metros first underground station we were proud design
and build contractors to have a ISO certification for health and safety with
a good overall record. This was also a feather in DMRC's cap.



In Dubai where we are doing a metro project - in a case like this nobody
blames the client but the contractor is held responsible and punished for
negligence.

There is no difference in degrees or individual capabilities in Delhi or
Dubai - but somehow perfection by the engineers seems to be ruled by their
attention to the work due to consequences they may face.



The further toppling of the cranes on accident site proves the hurry and bad
calculations for a work to be carried thru a proper method statement. Even
the deaths of innocent public was not able to teach a lesson to erring
contractor.



Satyakam Garg

Architect, Dubai



From: delhimetro@yahoogroups.com [mailto:delhimetro@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Shashi Verma
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:15 PM
To: delhimetro@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [delhimetro] Re: New accident on Metro








Ashish

What this timeline shows is an organisation where safety is not really a
serious concern. There are many practices followed here that would be very
questionable - cranes overswinging over heavy traffic, site perimeters being
very tight resulting in heavy machinery being operated through heavy
traffic, etc. When I was in India in December I was struck that there was a
crane backing up without any lights or human guidance right on to a major
road in Noida during the night time, this too just round a corner where it
was barely visible. This is not a sign of an organisation that takes safety
seriously. We've also had previous incidents of maintenance workers being
struck by trains in service.

With all due respect to Mr. Sreedharan (and he very rightly deserves it),
this organisation needs a renewed focus on the basics. My sense is that they
have gotten carried away with all the public adulation and the quality of
the work has suffered as a result.

Perhaps some other group members could comment on this - the preparation for
the Commonwealth Games seems to be behind in many areas. Certainly, on the
bus side they are much further behind compared to where they should have
been.

Shashi

--- In delhimetro@yahoogroups.com <mailto:delhimetro%40yahoogroups.com> ,
Ashish Vashisht <ashishvashisht@...> wrote:
>
>
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]