SC raps Delhi government for refusing contribution to rapid rail
The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Delhi government for citing a shortage of funds for the construction of the Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) project. It asked the government to submit details of its expenditure on advertisement for the last three financial years. Notably, the project is aimed at building a semi-high-speed rail corridor between Delhi and Meerut.
Why does this story matter?
It was reported last year the Delhi government's advertisement spending jumped over 4,200% between 2012 and 2022. The AAP government is also facing action for the alleged irregularities in the exorbitant renovation of the Delhi chief minister's bungalow. Meanwhile, it is currently embroiled in a tussle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre over Delhi's administrative control after the SC ruled in its favor.
All ad funds to be diverted for project: SC
A bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said, "If you have money for advertisements, why don't you have money for a project that will ensure smooth transport?" "You want us to get into what funds you are spending where. All funds for advertisement shall be diverted for this project. You want this kind of order? You are asking for it," it said.
What is RAPIDX project
The Delhi-Uttar Pradesh's Meerut corridor is one of the three rapid rail corridors planned under Phase I of the RAPIDX project. The RRTS trains are expected to run at an operational speed of 160kmph. The RRTS project will cost an estimated Rs. 31,632 crore and has been financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the New Development Bank.
17km section of RRTS to open this month
Reportedly, a 17km section of the project connecting Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai depot is expected to start operations this month. In addition, a 42km viaduct from Sahibabad to Meerut South has also been completed. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) began constructing the RRTS in 2019. It hopes to commission the 82km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut stretch for the public by 2025.
