Kanpur: The abrupt departure of Turkish construction giant Gulermak from Kanpur's metro project has stranded ₹80 crore in unpaid bills to Indian subcontractors, revealing unintended consequences of geopolitical tensions impacting critical infrastructure. The company, contracted for four underground stations in 2021, ceased operations last month following anti-Turkey sentiment during recent India-Pakistan conflicts.

Subcontractors allege Gulermak exploited the political climate to default on payments before key executives disappeared. Office locks and disconnected phones now greet visitors at their Kanpur site. While the firm blames delayed payments from Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), project authorities insist all contractual obligations were met.

The incident underscores risks in international joint ventures, particularly when bilateral relations sour. Local contractors - some having completed 100% of assigned work - face bankruptcy, with many petitioning the District Magistrate for intervention. The metro's Phase-II expansion faces indefinite delays as authorities scramble to find replacement contractors.