Hong Kong rail operator caught in fresh scandal as new details emerge over substandard work at Sha Tin-Central link stations
MTR Corp admits knowing contractor with HK$4.57 billion deal had ‘deviated from the original design’
The embattled MTR Corporation has been caught up in a fresh scandal over substandard construction work on the Sha Tin-Central rail link – this time at To Kwa Wan station.
Admitting it knew about the issue, which allegedly concerned a wall on the platform level having reinforcement bars removed in April and being “shaved thin”, the rail operator said on Monday it had told the contractor responsible to come up with a plan to rectify their mistake.
The revelation came less than a week after MTR Corp acknowledged a subcontractor had cut corners in the construction of a new platform under the existing Hung Hom station, part of a HK$5.2 billion contract.
This time the work concerned a HK$4.57 billion contract awarded to a joint venture between Hsin Chong Group Holdings and Samsung C&T.
On Monday, HK First lawmaker Claudia Mo Man-ching, said she was informed of the new issue at the start of June by a “frontline worker” at To Kwa Wan station.