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He said on Wednesday that Bombela's progress over the next 54 months would be measured by about 1 100 milestones.
An independent certification firm will check each month if the milestones, which encompass about 55 000 different activities, have been met.
"If only 47 of the 50 targets for the month are reached, three will be carried over to the next moth."
Bombela's contract states that the train must be already operational between OR Tambo Airport, Sandton, Marlboro and Midrand before the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
If this does not happen, Bombela will be fined R150m.
Bombela comprises mostly of listed companies, who will have to explain the extra expense to shareholders," says Van der Merwe. "They would want to avoid that at all costs."
Phase 2, which must be completed by March 1 2011, includes the link-up between Park Station in Braamfontein, Rosebank and Sandton, as well as Midrand station with Centurion, Pretoria Central and Hatfield.
Bombela CE Denis Bouvet told a media conference on Wednesday that a considerable amount of work had already been done on eight sites in Gauteng, and "the train was on track".
"Worldwide, you'd hardly find more than 600 people on the ground at the start of this kind of project. There are another 430 people at work in our offices. We are at ease, but cautious."
Bouvet said he was "optimistic" about 2010.
"Anything can happen, especially if there is so much tunnel work involved. Between 18 and 24 months before the completion of Phase 1, we will have a good idea if we will be ready."
About 15km of Gautrain's 80km rail tracks will run deep underground.
