We'll start Delhi Metro Phase-4 work on our own: Centre
The Centre on Monday said, rather sternly, that due to AAP-led Delhi government's delay in approving the phase 4 metro work, it would go ahead on its own. In May 2016, the Delhi government gave their in-principle approval, but Union housing and urban affairs ministry returned the file, saying it needs financial approval. It has apparently not yet been returned by the Delhi government.
File is yet to reach my office: Delhi transport minister
"We are not getting support from the Delhi government over the Metro projects, so we have decided that we will do it ourselves," said Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri. However, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot says that he is yet to get any file to approve. "Probably the file is yet to be cleared by the finance department," he said.
'Delay causing project cost to rise by Rs. 12,000 crore'
Puri had written to Kejriwal earlier that the delay is notching up the project cost by Rs. 12,000 crore as well as causing health hazards, but the Delhi government is yet to commit. The 104-kilometre network will benefit South Delhi residents by connecting Saket-Mukundpur. Puri further said the Center would also implement the high-speed rail corridor between Delhi and Ghaziabad if Delhi delays approval.
Center has undertaken Delhi's projects earlier too
The Center had undertaken projects without Delhi's financial help earlier as well. Building a flyover and underpass connecting the IGI airport with Vasant Kunj is one such example. Since Delhi's land belongs to the Center, 'getting a post-facto approval is also a possibility.'
