French firm accuses Maharashtra govt officials of seeking undue favours, stalling payments; knocks on Embassy doors: Report

The designers of the Mumbai metro, Systra, a French engineering company, has made allegations that the senior officials of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) planning agency were corrupt and asked for undue favours and delayed their payments, a TOI report said.

The company that oversaw the metro constructions has raised complaints to the government that they have been pressured to inflate orders to contractors, stalled approvals for key staff and imposed arbitrary penalties on them, the report added.

In a letter to the French Embassy, seeking diplomatic intervention, Systra on November 12, 2024, asked resident commissioner of Maharashtra in Delhi, Rupinder Singh, to intervene in the case. While working as general consultant on MMRDA projects, they came across a lot of challenges and severe harassment, the publication added citing the letter.

.Bengaluru Metro: Statutory inspection of driverless trains raises hopes for Yellow Line. Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said that he was not aware of the issue as the complaint had not reached him, however he would speak to the secretary Sujata Saunik, the report said.

Fadnavis told the publication, "Transparency is at the core of our administration. We will ensure it is restored at any cost."

The MMDRA called these allegations baseless and said that it was a deliberate attempt made to tarnish the reputation of their officials and the agency.

The report further stated that in its complaint sent through the Embassy, Systra said that it faced severe problems since August 2023 in its daily operations, which eventually escalated to the suspension of its payments due in January 2024.

The company also requested that there should be a thorough speculation of the matter and should be left in the hands of the resident commissioner for the final resolution.

"Systra is keen to work together with MMRDA for mutual benefit in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation, without external pressure," the publication quoting the company added.

A detailed report from the respective department has been sought by the MMRDA, based on the allegations made by the company, and has been submitted to the government. MMRDA has also issued a termination notice to Systra owing to several operational violations and lapses, and security concerns.

Arun Mishra, Systra's general manager for Mumbai, said, We cannot comment as the matter is sub judice."

French firm accuses Maharashtra govt officials of seeking undue favours, stalling payments; knocks on Embassy doors: Report

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