delhi

Updated: Jan 31, 2018 23:39 IST

Due to ‘inordinate delay’ in approval to the expansion of Delhi Metro in phase 4, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has written to the Centre and the Delhi government to approve at least three of the six lines proposed in the new plan.

The construction of phase 3 is about to end and the DMRC fears that once the building contractors move out of the city, bringing them back will increase the cost of the project.

“DMRC has now sought approval in two phases. In the first phase, they want approval for Mukundpur-Maujpur, Tughlakabad – Terminal 1 and Janakpuri (west)- RK Ashram sections. In the second phase, Rithala – Narela, Inderlok – Indraprastha and Lajpat Nagar – Saket G-Block can be considered,” said a DMRC official.

Earlier, the metro corporation was seeking approval for six corridors, which will have an estimated cost of Rs 48,000 crore. The three corridors, for which approval has been sought in the first phase, will cost about R 29,000 crore. The 104-kilometre network proposed in phase 4 is expected to see 1.5 million passengers daily.

The project is pending with the Delhi government for over two years. In May 2016, the AAP government had given in-principal approval but the Union government had returned the file, saying they need to get financial approval first. DMRC said that since the construction of phase 3 is in last stage, it is the right time to start the construction for phase 4.

Transport minister Kailash Gahlot had later said that the delay was caused by the new tax regime. He now says that he hasn’t seen the file and would not like to comment. DMRC also refused to comment on the matter.

The phase 3 is likely to be completed by mid-2018 and the Delhi Metro was seeking approval for the next phase for more than a year. The new phase will benefit south Delhi residents, giving them the option of taking the Metro to go to the airport and other localities.

The Phase 4 will also add to the ridership of the existing airport line as passengers travelling on other lines will have the option to board the Metro for the airport. Almost 15 kilometres of this section will be underground because of space constraints.

DMRC is hopeful that problem of overcrowding will be solved when lines in phase 3 will become operational and phase 4 will take Metro connectivity to outer parts of Delhi, as well as the interiors of central and south Delhi.