Haryana CM asks NCRPB to share cost of power infrastructure in NCR

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made a slew of demands to the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) which included, among others, financial assistance for developing Karnal and Jind, the new entrants in the National Capital Region (NCR); fast-tracking of the projects to improve connectivity between Delhi and NCR towns of the state and soft loan for completion of Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) from Gurgaon to Bawal.

Speaking at the 36th meeting of NCRPB at Vigyan Bhawan, Khattar also urged NCRPB to part-finance the Rs 3,000 crore investment Haryana plans to make in the power sector in the NCR and ensure that such projects are approved within two to three months of submission of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). He also demanded Haryana’s share in Yamuna’s water at Okhla and pressed the Delhi government to pay Rs 150 crore on account of the extra raw water supplied. He also requested the Central government for early execution of the Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar dam projects to overcome water shortage in the state.

NCRPB is the urban planning body for the NCR under the Ministry of Urban Development. The Chief Minister added: “We are keen to develop these newly added districts (Karnal and Jind), along with Mahendragarh and Bhiwani which were earlier included in the sub-region, with liberal financial assistance of the Board. As preparing the sub-regional plan (SRP) for the new areas is a time consuming exercise, I suggest that the Board may extend financial assistance for various development projects in the newly added districts based on approved development plans without insisting on SRP.”

He further said that the issue of improved connectivity between Delhi and NCR towns of Haryana was discussed at various meetings convened by the Union Ministry of Urban Development. However, the progress achieved in execution of the approved linkages is sluggish.

Khattar also spoke about the important links that needed to be fast-tracked including declaration of the Northern Peripheral Road/Dwarka Expressway as National Highway for which the state government has already conveyed its consent. The other is acquisition and construction of a link road connecting Nelson Mandela ‘T’ point near Vasant Kunj Flyover with the MG Road, Delhi and widening of link road between Mehrauli road near Andheria Mor in Delhi to Gurgaon-Faridabad road near Gwal Pahari through Gadaipur and  Mandi villages of Delhi.

Regarding development of Rs 44,000 crore MRTS from Gurgaon to Bawal, Manohar Lal said the total cost for the project is expected to be about Rs 44,000 crore, including land acquisition cost.  He requested the board to grant soft loans for early implementation of the project. Stating that the Haryana sub region was witnessing exponential demand for power, he said: “We are planning to invest about Rs 3,000 crore in power sector in Sub Region during the next three years. I request NCR Planning Board to fund part of the investment plan in the project in the interest of consumers of the Haryana Sub Region.” 

Aiming to reduce pollution in NCR and to ensure safety of the road users, Khattar asked the NCRPB to grant Rs 60 crore to established three fully automated inspection and testing centre at Gurgaon, Faridabad and Karnal. He said: “Out of 6.3 lakh transport vehicles in Haryana, about five lakh are registered within the towns of Haryana Sub-Region of NCR. The roadworthiness of the transport vehicles is important to promote road safety.”

Automatic inspection and testing centre is needed for rigorous inspection of “in use” motor vehicles and to remove the defects before they are allowed to ply on road. In-use vehicles need to go through to regular inspection to arrest the menace increasing road accidents and worsening environment pollution.