In light of the spate of accidents occurring at the under-construction infrastructure project sites, the MMRDA authorities have asked journalists to sign an indemnity bond for an official ride in the Monorail on Saturday.
The bond issued by the MMRDA reads, “I also hereby indemnify and hold harmless the said carrier and/or carriers, their directors, employees and agents and against all claims, liabilities, losses cost and expenses of whatsoever nature, which may be made against them or incurred by them arising directly out of my decision to perform my travel.”
The indemnity bond a bears logo of Larsen & Toubro and Scomi, the two companies constructing the Mumbai Monorail Project.
Opposing the bond, NCP leader Nawab Malik said, “If there is an incident, the authorities involved with the project should be held responsible; they cannot get a bond signed and shield themselves of any responsibility.”
When contacted, Deepak Morada, spokesperson of L&T, “I am unaware about the bond. Moreover, it’s not unusual to ask people to sign indemnity bond if the project is still being tested.”
Dilip Kawathkar spokesperson of MMRDA clarified, “It is part of the procedure to sign an indemnity bond until commercial operations are held.”
When asked if authorities are not confident about the trial runs, Mr Kawathkar added that even MMRDA officials are supposed to submit this bond.
Kanesan Veluppillai, Scomi’s Indian official, was unavailable for comment as he is currently abroad.