Party had hemmed and hawed over Dilshad-Rithala Metro extension
Dilly dallying over extension of Dilshad Garden-Rithala Metro link to Ghaziabad by previous Congress Government in the Capital has dented Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) coffers by Rs 300 crore. The project — 9.41 km stretch — from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand in Ghaziabad was estimated to cost about Rs 1,691 crore which remained pending for want of approval from the Centre as it was not forwarded to the Union Government for necessary action despite several requests by the GDA.
Meanwhile the cost of the project has been escalated to Rs 2,000 crore. With the change of guard in the Capital, the authority is hopeful
the Arvind Kejriwal-led Government would expedite the project. Putting the blame on previous Delhi Government, GDA vice chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav on Thursday said negligent attitude of the previous Government has put extra burden of Rs 300 crore.
“Recently, we met the new Chief Minister of Delhi at his Kaushambi residence and apprised him of our concern on Metro project and pipeline project which is awaiting Delhi Jal Board approval. The CM was very positive and assured us to clear the projects at the earliest. We have sent the written request since the CM asked us to send it in writing,” Yadav told The Pioneer.
Yadav also said in addition to these two projects, discussions were held pertaining to the expansion of NH-24. “Although it was not his official obligation but being a resident of this city we discussed for which also the Chief Minister assured us positively,” added the VC.
“I had seen the traffic crisis during my term as the District Magistrate few years ago. The traffic condition is deteriorating by the day and I decided to appraise the entire situation to the new Government in Delhi. I am optimistic about getting our project through under the new Government in Delhi,” Yadav said.
On persisting demand by the public, the GDA submitted the project before the Government’s Infrastructure Development Committee, chaired by the commissioner, had agreed on cost sharing issues between the different departments. Now the project seems go faster after meeting the Delhi Chief Minister who is also the resident of this city, added the VC.