BRT costs a bomb Rs 146 cr and going strong

The government had thrown open its coffers for the BRTS and for a slew of transport projects it planned through its Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transport System or DIMTS.

Further to the expenses stated above, the DIMTS has spent another Rs 2.5 crore on a ‘Transport Demand Forecast Study’ and will soon get Rs 3.8 crore for a techno-economic feasibility study on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) besides Rs 2.8 crore for a similar study on the Monorail, according to information. DIMTS also charged the government a fee that has already run up to Rs 1.95 crore.

But this was not enough. The Delhi government is now considering a request by the DIMTS to build up a ‘revolving fund’ of Rs 15 crore for the SPV. This would ensure that it does not have to approach the Finance department for funds on feasibility studies for various other transport projects.

When contacted, Transport minister Haroon Yusuf was unable to confirm the amount spent on the BRTS or that allocated to the DIMTS so far. He said, “We engage private companies for consultancy. The amount spent on feasibility studies by DIMTS was given to RITES for the BRT corridors. I cannot recall the exact amount spent on the project, neither do I remember any proposal to build up more funds for the BRT.”

However, the government has begun to rethink the role of the DIMTS — as part of reforms for the transport sector. It is wondering whether the DIMTS, which is a privately funded company, should handle multiple functions of being a planner, adviser and also the implementing agency. There might be a conflict of interests here, sources said.

Though Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta denied such doubts had been raised, his officials said future reforms in the transport infrastructure would address these issues. Minister Haroon Yusuf said the DIMTS, a ‘private company’, had been engaged only as consultants.

However, the DIMTS’ website clearly outlines the range of its functions. The SPV will be responsible for project implementation, says the website. It will prepare tender documents, award contracts, supervise construction and commission the corridor. It will also appoint independent engineers, if necessary, plan for and organise operation and maintenance.