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Delhi Metro mishap: Govt for judicial inquiry, awaits probe panel report

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Press Trust of India New Delhi

Even as E Sreedharan has been asked to continue as the head of Delhi Metro, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said action in the south Delhi's Jamrudpur mishap will be taken after the probe panel submits its report.    

"He (Sreedharan) has agreed to continue (as Metro managing director). We had requested him to continue," Dikshit told reporters here after the Cabinet meeting.     

She added the entire issue was discussed threadbare with the Cabinet colleagues and report is being awaited in the matter.     

Soon after the incident in which six persons were killed and 15 injured, the Delhi Metro had constituted a four-member panel to inquire into the reason behind the collapse of the half-constructed bridge. The panel will submit its report within ten days.     

 

"The Cabinet discussed the entire incident and now we are waiting for the report after which appropriate action will be taken," the Chief Minister said.     

On being asked if the government would set up a separate probe panel, she added, "there is no need for a separate committee. DMRC is a responsible body. We don't interfere in their work. The panel constitutes of well-known experts."     

"Let them submit the report, then we will see."

Regarding today's mishap at the site where at least six persons were injured during clearing operation, Dikshit said "it was a technical fault."

Dikshit had last night rejected Sreedharan's decision to quit from Delhi Metro "as the transport system and the country needed him."

"We respect his sentiments. But we also know that the Delhi Metro and the country need him. Not only he did good work for Delhi but also for the country," she had said.     

Highly placed sources said the government rejected his resignation as it viewed that his continuation was necessary for successful completion of projects related to Delhi Metro ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year.

Meanwhile, stressing that there will be no compromise on safety issues during Delhi Metro construction, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy said "We will never compromise on safety aspects. We will see to it that all precautions are taken to prevent recurrence of such events."

On the Delhi Government's decision not to accept the resignation of Metro Chief E Sreedharan, he added that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had consulted him on the issue.  

"Now that his resignation has not been accepted, I believe the matter will eventually rest there," he said.   

Yesterday, six persons were killed and 15 were injured when an under-construction bridge of Delhi Metro collapsed in South Delhi.

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First Published: Jul 13 2009 | 1:39 PM IST

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