Supreme Court orders commencement of work for Phase-IV of Delhi Metro

Supreme Court on Friday ordered commencement of construction work on Delhi metro's fourth phase, which is over 100 km long and is estimated to add around 18.6 lakh riders per day after Delhi government said it has agreed to give go-ahead to project.

phase-IV of Delhi metro will consist of six corridors Aerocity to Tughlakabad, Inderlok to Indraprastha, Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block, Mukundpur to Maujpur, Janakpuri West to R K Ashram and Rithala to Bawana and Narela.

Of 103.94 km to be constructed, 37.01 km will be underground while around 66.92 km will be elevated. estimated cost of project is Rs 46,845 crore.

As per Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), its operational network is 343 km with a current aver daily ridership of nearly 28 lakh.

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Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), which recently filed a report in apex court, has said that phase-IV of metro "will add significantly to public transport infrastructure in city. This combined with buses and last-mile connectivity (pedestrian and or facilities) would greatly improve public transport network in city and provide options for car-free travel".

" EPCA report also said that phase-IV is projected to add "some 18.6 lakh riders per day".

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta was informed by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting top court as an amicus curiae in pollution matter, that Delhi government has agreed to give go-ahead to phase-IV of metro.

counsel appearing for Delhi government said however that issues regarding sharing of land cost and taxes still remain.

Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni, appearing for Centre, said that financial pattern, similar to what was followed in earlier phases of metro, was re for phase-IV.

He said same pattern was followed for metro projects in or cities like Bhopal, Indore, Kanpur, Patna and Agra.

apex court, while directing that fourth phase be implemented, said that issues concerning sharing of land cost and taxes between Centre and Delhi government would be heard by it on July 19.

bench directed authorities concerned to start construction.

On July 8, apex court had taken te of issues between Centre and Delhi government over certain financial aspects of metro phase-IV and had said it would pass an order in matter as "project cant wait".

amicus had told bench that as per EPCA's report, phase-IV project is "critical" and pending issue should be resolved soon.

amicus had referred to EPCA report which said that approval for "103.94 km phase IV of Delhi metro has been held up since 2014, when project was submitted to Union government for its approval".

report said: "re is a stalemate in discussions between Union Government and Delhi government on different financial aspects of project. Delhi government has on April 10, 2019 communicated its direction that DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) would t start work of Delhi Metro phase-IV till se issues are resolved."

amicus had told bench that issues which are t resolved are -- bearing of operational loss, repayment of Japan International Cooperation ncy (JICA) loan in case of default, sharing of land cost and taxes.

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issue regarding public transport had cropped up before court when it was hearing a matter relating to air pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region.