Ghaziabad development authority to pay as per old project cost for 9.41km Metro extension

The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) said that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has asked it to pay Uttar Pradesh’s share of the 9.41km Metro extension link project according to the original MoU

The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) said that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has asked it to pay Uttar Pradesh’s share of the 9.41km Metro extension link project according to the original MoU, reducing the GDA’s share from Rs 1,479 crore to Rs 1,116 crore, thereby saving the authority nearly Rs 363 crore. GDA officials said they had, in a review meeting held late Thursday evening, asked the DMRC to submit the proposal in writing.

A view of the 9.41km Metro extension near the new bus stand on GT Road, Ghaziabad. (HT Photo)

In December, 2014, the total cost of the Metro link had been revised and escalated from Rs 1,770 crore to Rs 2,210 crore. The previous cost had been agreed upon by the DMRC and the GDA in an MoU signed in June 2014.

The GDA had been designated as the nodal agency for the project that will connect Delhi’s Dilshad Garden to the new bus stand in Ghaziabad, with eight stations on an elevated corridor.

“For the funding, the DMRC told us that they require funds from the GDA as per the MoU that was signed between the two agencies. The MoU had originally been signed for a total cost of Rs 1,770 crore. They discussed the issue with us in the meeting and we asked them to give it to us in writing,” Ritu Maheshwari, vice chairperson of the authority, said.

According to the original agreement, UP agencies were to share a cost of Rs 1,116 crore, while the Centre and the DMRC had to contribute nearly Rs 397 crore and Rs 256 crore, respectively, towards the project.

The authority officials said that they have so far made a payment of almost Rs 1,000 crore as UP’s share.

The detailed report of the 9.41km extension was later changed and the revised cost of Rs 2,210 crore was arrived at, according to which the share of UP agencies stood at around ₹1,479 crore, while the Centre and the DMRC were to contribute nearly Rs 402 crore and Rs 328 crore, respectively.

Trial runs on the extended link are scheduled to begin soon, the authority said, adding that they’d go on for two-and-a-half months. “The DMRC has also told us that the trials will also begin shortly; most likely by the end of next week. The trials will go on for two-and-a-half months before we can get other clearances and the project can start operations,” Maheshwari added.

When approached over the new development over the revised funds, the DMRC declined to comment. “The trials will begin soon, but the date is yet to be finalised. With regard to the costing, the DMRC would not like to comment,” a DMRC spokesperson said.