Govt told to explain DIMTS role in transport projects

DIMTS was formed by the government in 2004 as a special purpose vehicle to implement its multimodal transport projects,like the Bus Rapid Transit System,the Monorail and the Lightrail projects. It was formed as a joint venture with the Infrastructure Development Finance Company.

Apart from operating the first BRT corridor between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand,it now handles projects like the bus cluster system,the automatic fare collection system,advisory on procurement of low-floor buses as well as constructing multi-level parking lots at Sarojini Nagar and Baba Kharak Singh Marg for the New Delhi Municipal Council.

“The DIMTS has been involved in a variety of projects without following the mandatory tendering process meant to ensure the fair selection of a firm. The agency merely hires consultants and the services of private firms to carry out the work given to them,so why have DIMTS? Why not directly assign the project to the firm instead?” said a source who did not wish to be named.

“We have asked the government to issue a list of projects assigned to the agency and an explanation of its role,” the source added. Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta,also the chairman of DIMTS,said: “We did receive objections from them,which were in the light of the norms set by the Planning Commission for infrastructure companies. We will send a reply after a meeting on the matter within a week.”

Mehta added while the norms were meant for infrastructure companies like airport developer Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL),which is handling projects worth at least Rs 25,000 crore,DIMTS has been handling ‘miniscule’ projects like maintenance of the BRT corridor,or providing consultancy services for transport projects.

The CAG audit report is expected to be tabled during the government’s budget session between March 15 and April 1.

Projects under DIMTS
* Maintenance and operation of first BRT corridor
* Installing Intelligent Traffic Management System along BRT; service to be provided by Siemens Consultancy services
* Second BRT corridor between Shastri Park and Karwal Nagar
* Smart card system for DTC buses and Delhi Metro
* Automated fare collection system for DTC buses; service provided by Cubic Transportation Systems (India) Pvt Ltd for Dwarka Mudrika service
* Corporatisation model for private bus system