Metro Phase III: ‘Broke’ Delhi turns to DDA, gets no answer

The Delhi Metro’s phase III has run into trouble even before it could start. The Delhi government, an equity partner in DMRC along with the Union government, has refused to bear any cost of construction for Metro’s phase III.

The Delhi Metro’s phase III has run into trouble even before it could start. The Delhi government, an equity partner in DMRC along with the Union government, has refused to bear any cost of construction for Metro’s phase III.

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The DMRC had asked the Delhi government to pay Rs 558 crore for phase III in 2010-11. The Delhi government has, in turn, said it does not have that money and wants the DDA to shoulder the burden. However, the DDA’s stoic silence on the issue has put the project in a quandry.

“We are broke. We have written to the DDA at least twice on this matter… there is no response,” Delhi finance minister A.K. Walia said. “We will take up the matter again with them.”

“We already have to pay Delhi Metro Rs 785.87 crore, which is due on account of the construction of Phase II. The government cannot spend anything this year on Metro after this,” the finance minister added.

Senior DMRC officials said that the 120-km Phase III is expected to cost Rs 30,000 crore.

Delhi government believes that DDA, being a land owning agency, has more than Rs 30,000 in its coffers and can shoulder the Delhi government’s burden.

“We bear the expenses for electricity and water. We pay the MCD to maintain colonies, which the DDA transfers to the municipal corporation. I don’t think the DDA should have any problem in bearing the construction cost,” Walia said.

DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar said the authority has received the request letter from the Delhi government and its finance wing was examining it. DDA sources, however, said there were little chances that the DDA would shoulder the burden.