Delhi Metro Seeks ₹7,200 Crore in Budget to Ensure Timely Completion of Projects

Delhi Metro Urgently Seeks ₹7,200 Crore in Delhi Budget 2024-25 to Complete Phase-IV Projects and Address Pending Financial Obligations

The DMRC has approached the Delhi government for a substantial budgetary provision of ₹7,200 crore in the revised financial plan for 2024-25. This is for meeting some critical undertakings, including timely completion of Phase-IV metro corridors and pending payments regarding Phase-III projects.

Delhi Chief Secretary, In a formal letter, DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar voiced urgency in releasing the much-needed funds. Delay in sanctioning the required money, he warned, might adversely impact the execution of Phase-IV works leading to cost overrun and slipping deadlines. “The timely release of funds is critical for the smooth execution of Phase-IV works and other financial obligations,” he stressed.

Swift Expansion in Phase-IV
Under Phase-IV expansion, work is underway at a rapid pace on three priority corridors:

RK Ashram to Janakpuri (West)
Aerocity to Tughlaqabad
Mukundpur to Maujpur
These stretches run for a total distance of 62 kilometers and are being built at an expected cost of ₹24,948.6 crores. The DMRC has planned to finish these corridors before 2026 itself. After these sanction, the two more lines have been sanctioned- Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha. Sanction for another proposed corridor was still pending from the central and Delhi governments for – Rithala to Nathupur.

Funds Required for Double-Decker Viaducts
Kumar also demanded ₹376 crore for the Public Works Department to build three unique double-decker viaducts. The structures will carry metro trains on one deck and vehicular traffic on the other, “fully making use of the scarce urban space.”

Read more: 3 -Year-Old Girl’s Half-Burnt Body Found After 3-Day Search

The three viaducts are

2.4 km between Sangam Vihar and Ambedkar Nagar on the Aerocity-Tughlaqabad corridor.
2.2 km between Azadpur and Rani Jhansi Road intersection.
1.4 Kms Bhajanpura to Yamuna Vihar.
This is critical as the viaducts are associated with the overall Phase-IV construction progress.

Pending Phase-III Commitments
While DMRC has completed all Phase-III extensions, covering 160 km, financial obligations still linger. The metro authority has sought ₹725 crore to address balance payments to contractors and other commitments. Additionally, repayment of loans taken from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Phases I, II, and III, along with Delhi government’s share of foreign exchange variations, remains unresolved.

Kumar stated that without adequate funding, financial liabilities may be incurred, which could then affect the services and development of Delhi Metro.

Read more: Tragedy in Mumbai: 3-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Slapped by Uncle, Body Burnt and Dumped

Immediate Budget Constraint
From DMRC, the initial budget submission for ₹1,772.9 crore for the 2024-25 budget has got only ₹500 crore under the capital expenditure or capex account. That money is already infused and the project demands require a higher provision in the revised budget. Last month, too, the finance director of DMRC had sent a note to the transport secretary saying that without steady funding, construction work on the Phase-IV project cannot be stopped and this was urgent.

The Delhi government is likely to present revised budget proposals while seeking supplementary grants during the assembly session commencing on November 29. This shall complement the revised budget estimates in wiping out any gap in funding.

In his letter, Kumar presented the overall financial scenario, including increased completion costs for Phase-III and reimbursement of long-standing operational losses and provision for other corridors in Phase-IV. He requested that the Delhi Cabinet clear the funds so that it was feasible for the metro to transact smoothly.

On Track Metro Development
For years, the Delhi Metro has been the lifeline of commuters in the capital, greatly easing urban transport woes, however, as the ambitious Phase-IV expansion that is urgently needed to accommodate growing population and transport needs calls for substantial financial support.

With the completion of Phase-IV corridors expected to enhance connectivity across Delhi and neighboring areas, timely financial backing is crucial. Failure to provide the requested ₹7,200 crore could delay key projects, escalate costs, and disrupt DMRC’s ability to deliver on its commitments.

The upcoming assembly session will be pivotal in determining whether the Delhi government can fulfill this funding request, ensuring that the capital’s metro infrastructure continues to grow seamlessly.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.