India: Construction contract for Delhi-Meerut tunnel awarded to Chinese company

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Protests are strong against the Centre's move to hand over the contract for the construction of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway to a Chinese company. Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Ltd., a Chinese company, has been awarded the contract to build a 5.6 km underground line from New Ashok Nagar to Zahiabad as part of the Regional Rapid Rail Transit System project. The project is being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). In the auction held in June 2020, the Chinese company won the contract, beating the big Indian companies. Criticism has also been mounting on social media against the central government's move to award the contract to the Chinese company. The main criticism is that the action of the Center, which claims that Atmanirbhar is working for India, is not acceptable. Others are joking about whether the problems with China are over. Some criticize the government's action as disrespectful to soldiers who lost their lives along the Line of Control. The 82 km Delhi-Meerut Expressway is being constructed with the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank. As per the ADB guidelines, any member country can enter into a mutual agreement. According to an unofficial explanation given by the central government, the Chinese company won the contract in the auction conducted under this. Government sources said the contract was awarded in full compliance with the procedures.