The DMRC’s project to extend the Metro rail from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand in Ghaziabad has got stuck due to alleged delay in clearance of a file for the last six months.
“The file for the transfer of around 2,000 square metre of land (to the DMRC for constructing Arthala Metro station) has been pending with the Principal Secretary, Finance, for six months. We have reminded and offered three options to the Trade Tax Department. One is to get payment for the land, second is to get land in lieu of the land, and third to get built up houses or office in lieu of the land being given to the Metro. Despite reminders, the Trade Tax Department has decided neither way,” said Dharmendra Pratap Singh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).
“DMRC, meanwhile, has written us several times to provide the land for Arthala Metro station. But we are in no position to provide them land unless Trade Tax Department decides,” added the OSD.
He added that DMRC was given an option to modify the station design so that the work is not hampered for the want of about 2,000-square metre land. “We gave the example of Vaishali station which has been built on one side entry system said OSD. But the DMRC refused to modify the design. They argued that the Vaishali Metro line is alongside the road while Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand line is running in the central verge of the GT Road. One-way station would not be able to digest the heavy inflow of passengers,” he said.
The proposed Dilshad Garden-New Bus Stand (Ghaziabad) Metro extension is 9.60-km elevated section having eight stations. The proposed line on the busy Grand Trunk Road connecting Ghaziabad with Delhi will be the DMRC’s second extension into Ghaziabad after the Yamuna Bank-Vaishali section.
Earlier, Principal Secretary for Housing Sadakant had claimed that the financial crunch was forcing authorities to review the situation.
“Can a head of department dump (project) file for over six months or can any department refuse to comply with a State Cabinet decisionIJ The Government is not inclined to see the project through,” Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation member Rajendra Tyagi said.