GURUGRAM: Metro expansion plans in the city have been delayed as the Palam Vihar-Dwarka Sector 21 project failed to get approval from the state government on Wednesday. RITES, which had prepared its Detailed Project Report (DPR), has been asked to study the feasibility and feasibility of shifting a 1.5 km stretch of the underground route in Delhi and prepare a fresh DPR within 15 days.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattri On Wednesday, after reviewing the DPR, instructions were given. Shifting part of the 8.4 km corridor underground will increase the cost of the project and also alter its alignment. The route distance is also expected to be shorter.
According to officials, the government is keen to shift a portion of the route underground to avoid the hassles of land acquisition. Most of the route falls on green belt and government land. In Delhi, a certain portion passes through private land. According to an official, land acquisition will delay the project and increase the cost.
The project was expected to be jointly developed by Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). However, it was suggested during the meeting that the Haryana government may complete the project on its own. Hence, the entire project is likely to be taken up by HMRTC.
On the funding side, it was discussed that only for the projects under the central government scheme, the state government gets 20% of the funds from the center while 80% of the funds should come from the state.
However, the process of getting 20% of the funds from the Center is lengthy and takes years. Officials said by the time the state gets funds, the total cost of the project goes up.
“It was suggested that instead of taking 20% stake from the Centre, the Haryana government may approach an international agency like world Bank For loan to complete the project. This is expected to reduce the time taken for execution of the project and the entire project will be owned by the state government,” a government official present at the meeting told TOI. Haryana may take loan from the World Bank, they have to take approval from the Centre, but the entire process can be completed in 7-8 months, while it takes around 3-4 years to process 20% of the funds from the Centre, the official said. he said.
The 28.5 km main metro route from HUDA City Center to Old Gurgaon via Cyber City is in the final stages of approval. The 8.4 km Palam Vihar-Dwarka road has been proposed as Part-B of the main project with self-financing (no contribution from the Central Government).
Chief Minister said- construction of metro line to connect Palam Vihar Sector 21 in Dwarka will benefit a large number of people from Delhi and Gurgaon. “The ridership of the route is expected to be higher,” Khattar said.
The route will have two interchange stations. While Palam Vihar’s Rezang La Chowk will have an interchange with the HUDA City Centre-Cyber City Corridor, Dwarka Sector 21, which will be separate from the existing DMRC station, will have an interchange with the Blue Line as well as the Airport Express Corridor.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattri On Wednesday, after reviewing the DPR, instructions were given. Shifting part of the 8.4 km corridor underground will increase the cost of the project and also alter its alignment. The route distance is also expected to be shorter.
According to officials, the government is keen to shift a portion of the route underground to avoid the hassles of land acquisition. Most of the route falls on green belt and government land. In Delhi, a certain portion passes through private land. According to an official, land acquisition will delay the project and increase the cost.
The project was expected to be jointly developed by Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). However, it was suggested during the meeting that the Haryana government may complete the project on its own. Hence, the entire project is likely to be taken up by HMRTC.
On the funding side, it was discussed that only for the projects under the central government scheme, the state government gets 20% of the funds from the center while 80% of the funds should come from the state.
However, the process of getting 20% of the funds from the Center is lengthy and takes years. Officials said by the time the state gets funds, the total cost of the project goes up.
“It was suggested that instead of taking 20% stake from the Centre, the Haryana government may approach an international agency like world Bank For loan to complete the project. This is expected to reduce the time taken for execution of the project and the entire project will be owned by the state government,” a government official present at the meeting told TOI. Haryana may take loan from the World Bank, they have to take approval from the Centre, but the entire process can be completed in 7-8 months, while it takes around 3-4 years to process 20% of the funds from the Centre, the official said. he said.
The 28.5 km main metro route from HUDA City Center to Old Gurgaon via Cyber City is in the final stages of approval. The 8.4 km Palam Vihar-Dwarka road has been proposed as Part-B of the main project with self-financing (no contribution from the Central Government).
Chief Minister said- construction of metro line to connect Palam Vihar Sector 21 in Dwarka will benefit a large number of people from Delhi and Gurgaon. “The ridership of the route is expected to be higher,” Khattar said.
The route will have two interchange stations. While Palam Vihar’s Rezang La Chowk will have an interchange with the HUDA City Centre-Cyber City Corridor, Dwarka Sector 21, which will be separate from the existing DMRC station, will have an interchange with the Blue Line as well as the Airport Express Corridor.