The Delhi Government has refused to take up extension projects of three Metro lines in neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Instead, it has asked the States to set up their own Metro Rail Corporations, similar to DMRC, to initiate new projects.
Top Government sources told The Pioneer that Delhi Government representatives said DMRC was already overworked due to ongoing projects in the Capital.
“The officials made it clear that the neighbouring States must set up corporations on lines of Delhi Metro to start new projects in their areas,” said a source.
The Government refused to kickstart construction of lines connecting Noida City Centre to Sector 62, YMCA Chowk in Faridabad to Ballabhgarh and Dilshad Garden to New Bus Terminal in Ghaziabad near the Mahamaya Sports Stadium, at the recently held meeting of the board of directors of Delhi Metro. It was chaired by Union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna. Delhi Government consent is mandatory to start new projects in NCR region as it has 50 per cent share in Delhi Metro.
Sources further stated that the three proposed Metro lines were not even approved by the Group of Ministers (GoMs) on mass rapid transit system, headed by Defence Ministry AK Antony. Even, the Delhi Government had not been consulted before the proposal.
Sources said both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are expected to take up the issue with the GoM. It is likely to be brought up in the next board meeting of Delhi Metro, next month.
However, sources claimed the Delhi Government refused to work for Metro line in Gurgaon because it was not happy with neighbouring Haryana Government’s attitude over the water issue.
Haryana has refused to allow additional water to Delhi when a delegation of MPs and MlAs led by East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit met him last month. Hooda has categorically stated that the people of Haryana would be his first priority and he would not keep them thirsty.
It is to be noted that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has earlier written Union Defence Minister AK Antony urging him that DMRC not be given work outside the Capital at present.
It would be pertinent to mention that Delhi Metro has signed a MoU with Kochi Metro for building Phase I of the Metro network. Besides, it is also providing consultancy to Jakarta Metro in Indonesia.