Tussle between Delhi, Centre stalls Metro's Phase IV project
AAP dispensation has imposed a condition of 50-50% operational loss sharing
NEW DELHI: For the first time since 1998, Delhi Metro's construction work has been stalled as tussle between the Centre and Delhi govt over Phase IV project appears to be brewing after AAP dispensation imposed a condition of 50-50 percent operational loss sharing. However, Delhi govt has given in-principle approval to the Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro project.
It is pertinent to mention that by the end of December, 2018, DMRC has finished third phase Metro projects but Phase 4 metro has not started yet. This happened for the first time since 1998.
After repeated allegations by Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Cabinet gave in-principle approval twice to Delhi Metro's Phase-IV, which will include six new corridors spanning a total of 103.93 km.
The AAP government had in January 2017 given in-principal approval but the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry returned the file, saying it had needed to get financial approval first.
At that time, Delhi Finance Minister Manish Sisodia had replied the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Puri, who has alleged the Delhi government's delay in approving phase four of Delhi Metro and the Centre has decided to implement it on its own.
After political pressure, Delhi Cabinet gave in-principle approval on December 19, 2018. The Delhi government would be spending a total of Rs 9,707 crore on Phase-IV over the next five years. This financial year, the Delhi government would pay Rs 1,100 crore. The DMRC would start construction on the six new corridors simultaneously from January 1, 2019, with the target of completing it by December 2024 at a total cost of Rs 46,845 crore.
According to the Housing and Urban affairs Ministry, concerned officers are currently examining the conditions imposed by the Delhi Cabinet, while approving phase four of Delhi Metro in the last December.
AAP government dis pension imposed a condition of 50-50 sharing in operational losses in the Metro phase four.
According to Delhi govt sources, Phase four with 103 kilometer networks is not financial viable accordance with commuters as well as fare of Metro.
Now, the file is lying with the Centre and Delhi Metro is waiting for approval.
The six corridors in Phase-IV would be from Rithala to Narela, Janakpuri West to R K Ashram, Mukundpur to Maujpur, Inderlok to Indraprastha, Aero City to Tughlakabad and Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block. With a total of 79 new stations, Phase-IV would take the total length of the Delhi Metro network to 453km.
