Publish detailed project reports online, TNSIC tells CMRL

Times of India: Chennai: Thursday, December 14, 2017.

The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) has asked Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) to consider publishing approved project reports on its website to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders, after CMRL refused to selectively disclose information to an RTI applicant since it could breach the competitive interests of others.

The recommendation was made during the hearing of a case pertaining to a second appeal filed by A Meenakshisundaram, a resident of Chinmaya Nagar. He had filed an RTI with CMRL, seeking information on whether the new proposed phase of metro rail would pass through Kaliamman Koil Road, Chinmaya Nagar, Virugambakkam. He produced a news report about a new corridor running from Koyambedu under phase 2, which he apprehended would run through his locality and affect his business.

In response, CMRL had declined information, stating that the information was not under the purview of the RTI Act. When TNSIC took it up for enquiry on November 20, CMRL's Public Information Officer (PIO) submitted that a proposal was sent to the Centre in April 2017 after it was approved by the state government. A revised proposal was sent after some queries were raised.

"Till the final approval, the exact alignment of the proposed metro track cannot be stated with any degree of certainty," the PIO told TNSIC. In addition, CMRL also stated that as the project wasn't approved, sharing the complete details of the project prematurely would prejudicially affect the economic interests of the state as the project involved an estimated Rs.85,000 crore.

"Selective disclosure of the information to one petitioner while others are in the dark will affect their competitive position," CMRL told TNSIC. In its order, TNSIC noted that currently there was only one detailed project report, which is liable to be modified, and as and when it was approved and finalised, CMRL could consider uploading it online.

The petitioner also wanted to know if the proposed corridor would be an elevated or underground one. The PIO declined to give that information, but assured that if he met the officer, information that did not compromise economic interests or commercial confidence could be shared.