"Cannot accept...": Centre rejects AAP government's conditions on Delhi Metro Phase-4 project, asks it to lift embargo at the earliest

Centre has said it cant accept Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal AAP government's conditions on Metro Phase-4 and asked it to review its decision to t execute project until  Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry revises its approval.

 AAP government h in April directed  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) t to begin work on Phase-4 project till HUA ministry revises its approval in tune with  AAP dispensation's proposal, a source said.

HUA Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra has written to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev asking him to review AAP government's decision and lift embargo on work on Phase-IV at earliest in public interest, source said.

While approving Metro Phase-IV,  Delhi Cabinet h imposed two conditions -- 50-50 sharing of operational loss between  Delhi government and Centre, and that  Delhi government will t bear any liability of repayment of loan given by JICA, Japan International Cooperation ncy.

RE | 'Result Of Misunderstanding..,' Writes Manish Sisodia To E Sreedharan Over His Objection To Free Delhi Metro Rides For Women. Re Letter Here

In letter, Mishra said conditions posed by  Delhi government are against rms laid down in Metro Rail Policy 2017.

"Hence, re is question of accepting recommendations of GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi)...which has t been done for any or metro project," Mishra said.

move may trigger ar round of tussle between Arvind Kejriwal-led government and BJP-led Centre, and thus delay execution of Metro Phase-IV project in city.

 Union cabinet h in March approved three of six corridors of Metro Phase-4 approved by AAP dispensation, sidelining conditions imposed by Delhi government while giving its d to all six corridors.

three corridors approved by  Union Cabinet are Mukundpur-Maujpur (12.54 km), Janakpuri West-R K Ashram (28.92 km) and Tughlakab-Aerocity (20.20 km).

or three corridors of phase-4 which have t been approved by Centre are Rithala-Bawana-Narela, Inderlok-Indraprastha and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block.

 AAP government h objected to it, alleging that  Union government has me some "unilateral changes" in project, without communicating any reasons.

According to source, Mishra wrote in letter "Delhi Metro Phase-IV has alrey been delayed by more than four years for want of approval by GNCTD.

" directive of GNCTD to DMRC t to start work of phase-4 will furr jeopardise of expansion of Metro network in capital and leave it devoid of its benefits apart from ding to cost and time overruns." 

Mishra also said it is t understood why Delhi government has taken stand that re cant be any change in overall project cost and project cost of three priority corridors from what has been sanctioned by AAP dispensation.

RE | War Of Words: Arvind Kejriwal Claims Increase In Crime Rate In National Capital, Delhi Police Counters