Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has accused French engineering giant SYSTRA of misrepresenting facts to deflect attention from its own contractual breaches, following suspension and termination notices issued to the firm. It has even accused the firm of misrepresenting facts before the French govt. Upping the ante, it has also warned it may initiate a probe into possible illegalities by the consultant in accessing Metro project documents and gaining unauthorised access to Metro sites in the city.
Systra, tasked with designing and overseeing metro construction work in Mumbai, had levelled allegations of corruption against MMRDA officials, claiming they sought “undue favours” and delayed payments.
MMRDA, in a fresh rebuttal on Tuesday, said, “SYSTRA’s accusations, which surfaced only after formal action was taken, are an afterthought aimed at evading accountability for delays, cost overruns, and safety violations.” It said Systra’s complaints were not submitted to MMRDA, the urban development wing or Chief Minister’s Office until notices were issued citing deficiencies in the firm’s work and procedural lapses.
Systra, which is the general consultant for metro lines 5, 6, 7A, 9, 10 and 12, had escalated the matter by seeking diplomatic intervention. In Nov 2024, the French embassy wrote to Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra in Delhi, requesting help for the firm, which cited “severe harassment and challenges” on MMRDA projects. It said similar pressure tactics were being applied to other consultancies handling metro work.
However, MMRDA dismissed Systra’s unsigned memorandum as a “mere printout of wild allegations”. The agency said, “The French embassy’s letter did not endorse any allegations; it simply forwarded an unsigned memorandum without commenting on its authenticity.” MMRDA also pointed to unmet assurances from Systra’s Global CEO at the Davos Conference in Jan 2024, where the company pledged to address performance issues.
Systra has alleged that MMRDA officials pressured it to inflate contractor orders, stalled approvals for key staff, and imposed arbitrary penalties. In response, MMRDA said its actions were driven by consistent underperformance. MMRDA also accused Systra of safety violations and said Mira Bhayander police had booked certain Systra officials for negligence, which resulted in a worker’s death at a Metro construction site. MMRDA said it is conducting a detailed inquiry into possible criminal breach of laws by Systra, particularly concerning unauthorised access to Metro drawings and documents as well as unauthorised access to Metro project sites by unauthorised individuals.
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has accused French engineering giant SYSTRA of misrepresenting facts to deflect attention from its own contractual breaches, following suspension and termination notices issued to the firm. It has even accused the firm of misrepresenting facts before the French govt. Upping the ante, it has also warned it may initiate a probe into possible illegalities by the consultant in accessing Metro project documents and gaining unauthorised access to Metro sites in the city.
Systra, tasked with designing and overseeing metro construction work in Mumbai, had levelled allegations of corruption against MMRDA officials, claiming they sought “undue favours” and delayed payments.
MMRDA, in a fresh rebuttal on Tuesday, said, “SYSTRA’s accusations, which surfaced only after formal action was taken, are an afterthought aimed at evading accountability for delays, cost overruns, and safety violations.” It said Systra’s complaints were not submitted to MMRDA, the urban development wing or Chief Minister’s Office until notices were issued citing deficiencies in the firm’s work and procedural lapses.
Systra, which is the general consultant for metro lines 5, 6, 7A, 9, 10 and 12, had escalated the matter by seeking diplomatic intervention. In Nov 2024, the French embassy wrote to Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra in Delhi, requesting help for the firm, which cited “severe harassment and challenges” on MMRDA projects. It said similar pressure tactics were being applied to other consultancies handling metro work.
However, MMRDA dismissed Systra’s unsigned memorandum as a “mere printout of wild allegations”. The agency said, “The French embassy’s letter did not endorse any allegations; it simply forwarded an unsigned memorandum without commenting on its authenticity.” MMRDA also pointed to unmet assurances from Systra’s Global CEO at the Davos Conference in Jan 2024, where the company pledged to address performance issues.
Systra has alleged that MMRDA officials pressured it to inflate contractor orders, stalled approvals for key staff, and imposed arbitrary penalties. In response, MMRDA said its actions were driven by consistent underperformance. MMRDA also accused Systra of safety violations and said Mira Bhayander police had booked certain Systra officials for negligence, which resulted in a worker’s death at a Metro construction site. MMRDA said it is conducting a detailed inquiry into possible criminal breach of laws by Systra, particularly concerning unauthorised access to Metro drawings and documents as well as unauthorised access to Metro project sites by unauthorised individuals.