PIL in Delhi High Court for inquiry into safety of rails supplied by Swiss firm to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday denied using rails on tracks that are hazardous to passengers' safety. The response came in light of a PIL filed in the Delhi High Court seeking an investigation into the safety of rails procured from a Swiss company by the Metro Corporation.

Senior officials of DMRC said that it will file a "suitable" reply in the court that has asked it to respond to the petition.

In the petition, which came up for hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, it was alleged that the rails supplied by the Swiss company -- East Metal AG -- may have a high content of Hydrogen. This makes them more susceptible to breaks or fractures which could lead to a major disaster.

The court issued a notice to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Swiss company, which won the contract for supplying the rails, asking them to respond by October 9, the next date of hearing.

The petition by Dhirendra Krishna has urged that the rails should not be used till their procurement and safety is inquired into, as lives of millions of commuters would be at stake.

KNOW THE LINE

• The total length of Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden corridor: 37.46 km
   
• The section that was already opened:  Botanical Garden–Kalkaji Mandir: 12.64 km
   
• Section opened now: Janakpuri West – Kalkaji Mandir: 24.82 km
   
• Underground: 21.9 km; Elevated: 2.9 km
   
• Stations: 16 (14 underground, 2 elevated)