OLMT blame game: ‘Do not blame Chinese for your shortcomings’

Foreign contractors say locals have not completed their civil works

LAHORE: “Chinese contractors should not be blamed if the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) is delayed for any reason. Our people are working tirelessly on the project, but have to face criticism for the wrong reasons.”

CR-NORINCO Executive Deputy General Manager Wang Yunlin made these remarks while speaking to the weekly progress review meeting of the metro train project here on Wednesday. Yunlin, who was annoyed on complaints raised by Pakistani authorities, said local contractors had not yet completed their civil works on Package-III and Package-IV, including a depot and stabling yard, of the project. He added they were blaming the Chinese instead for not being able to fulfil their own obligations.



He showed various pictures of different under-construction sections of the project to make his point and asked Pakistani authorities to verify the quality of Chinese workmanship through independent experts. The foreign contractors also showed pictures of heavy machinery, equipment and rails. The Chinese pointed out that they were ready to start installation of rails and begin electrical or mechanical works at any time.

Lahore Development Authority (LDA), National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) and local civil contractors, in a recent meeting, raised a red flag on the quality of external plumbing works of Chinese contractors.

Pakistani authorities conveyed the same in writing to Chinese authorities. This clearly infuriated Chinese engineers working on the project.

However, Pakistani contractors stand by their complaints and underscored they did not want to get involved in a blame game. They added certain critical issues required prompt action and enhanced coordination.

The OLMT Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan mitigated situation by directing LDA, NESPAK and civil contractors to enhance liaison with Chinese contractors and find out solution of the issues raised by engineers. He also asked Chinese contractors to conduct a joint visit of the site with Pakistani contractors, consultants and engineers so all reservations could be addressed amicably.

Hassaan said the metro train project was a symbol of ‘Pak-China Friendship’. He added it would be a showcase project for both countries and a team effort of the engineers and workers.

Meeting participants were informed that overall, 59.2% of civil works on metro train project had been completed, including 74% Package-I (from Dera Gujjran to Chaburji), 44.25% Package-II (from Chaburji to Ali Town), 60.5% Package-III and 58% Package-IV. The OLMT Package-I contractor, Shahid Saleem, said his company was committed to hand over three elevated stations and an elevated track in between them to Chinese contractors for installation of rails by January 31.



Package-II contractor, Chaudhy Waseem Afzal, said his company mobilised its resources and would further gear up construction activity in a week’s time. He pointed out the company was making a huge investment of Rs820 million on procurement of formworks for speedy completion of the project.

The company had already placed orders to Chinese manufacturers and was evaluating different options, including air lifting, for early delivery of formworks, he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2017.