The fates of Delhi government's favourite project, Signature Bridge, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) Central Secretariat to Badarpur line have become intertwined.

The government is now planning to move the Central Vigilance Commission to seek permission to give the project to the second lowest bidder.

The move is prompted by the decision of the DMRC to examine whether or not to blacklist Gammon India Private Limited after the Zamrudpur accident.

More than three months after the showcause notice was served, DMRC has not yet arrived at a decision to blacklist the firm.

“We had served a notice to Gammon asking for reasons why they should not be blacklisted after the incident. They had filed a detailed reply which is being examined by an in-house committee of the DMRC that met last week to discuss the issue. It is a long legal process and will take time,” said director, Projects, Kumar Keshav.

The DMRC, meanwhile, has asked Gammon to continue work on the line.

“The DMRC would not like any other builder to take over the work as it would be very expensive,” said a senior government official.

The government does not want to take the risk of awarding the work to Gammon India Limited after the disastrous accident at Zamrudpur on July 12.

“I cannot comment as the matter is confidential till the time it goes to the Cabinet and a decision is taken,” said Managing Director, DTTDC, Rina Ray.

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