Even as the first phase of the county’s first monorail was inaugurated on Saturday by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, questions were asked about whether the state would collect a fine from the contractor for the delay in completing the project. The agreement signed between the contractor and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) states that the contractor will have to pay a fine of around R50 lakh per month for delays.

The monorail was flagged off from Wadala around 3.40 pm as Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan arrived late for the inauguration. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY, Metropolitan Commissioner UPS Madan said, “It is true that there was a major delay. However, the decision on the same will be taken only after going through various factors that caused the delay.” Sources from MMRDA told this newspaper that the agreement states that if there is a delay in the completion of the monorail, there is a provision, which gives them the power to charge a penalty from the contractor to the tune of R50 lakh for missing each deadline. Since the monorail missed six deadlines, the MMRDA can seek a penalty of R6 crore from the contractor.