The issue of excessive water ingress in the tunnel between Park and Rosebank stations on the Gautrain system “remained unresolved”, said Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO Jack van der Merwe on Wednesday evening, following reports by Gautrain operator Bombela that the problem was no longer a big concern.

The opening of the last remaining leg of the 80 km rapid-rail system had been delayed since August last year, owing to the ingress of water into this section of the tunnel.

Van der Merwe noted that the Gauteng government – through the GMA, which was acting as its agent – was the owner of the Gautrain system and that it had the responsibility to ensure it was constructed and operated according to contractual specifications.

Bombela, in turn, was charged with designing, constructing, operating and maintaining the system for the next 14 years.

“As such, the province has noted with concern recent press statements issued by Bombela that imply that all that stands between the public and the use of Gautrain services between Rosebank and Park stations are a few approvals, and that the water ingress in the tunnel is a minor issue that has been resolved,” noted Van der Merwe.

“This is not factually correct and the excessive water ingress issue remains unresolved.”

He added that a dispute resolution board last year directed Bombela to remedy the situation, so as to meet the specification for tunnel water inflow as set out in the contract signed between the Gauteng government and Bombela.

“To date this has not been achieved,” noted Van der Merwe.

“What this means is that Bombela may be able to manage the excessive quantity of water flowing into the tunnel and provide the train services in the short term, but it has, up to the present time, not provided any credible assurances to the province that the excessive amount of water will not cause irreparable harm to the tunnel itself and the environment around it in the long term.

“In this process the province will not be swayed by Bombela’s short-term commercial interests. It cannot and will not agree to something that is clearly contrary to the long-term interest of the province and the public.”

Van der Merwe said the GMA will continue to engage with Bombela to determine if it was feasible to have the best of both worlds – for example, opening the system between Rosebank and Park stations while tunnel rectification works were completed outside of the system’s operating hours.

He added that the Gauteng government had also requested Bombela to develop a revised tunnel rectification plan in order to comply with the water specifications, as instructed by the dispute resolution board.

“The province is awaiting a response from Bombela,” said Van der Merwe.

“The speed with which [Bombela] can develop the revised tunnel rectification plan and the approval thereof will determine the date at which the Rosebank to Park station section could be opened to the public.”