The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)’s ambitious project — Phase IV has hit a hurdle with the Delhi government declaring two of the six corridors “economically unviable”. The government has refused to grant permission for construction of Rithala-Bawana-Narela and Aerocity-Saket-Tughlakabad corridor, giving a setback to the rail body.

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The new corridors have been found to be non-feasible in a detailed analysis of Phase IV conducted by the chief secretary at the behest of the Kejriwal government. It may be recalled that the government had granted in principle approval to Phase IV in 2017 when the DMRC submitted a detailed project report. However, the government expressed its reservation on the three corridors that are part of Phase IV after it got into loggerheads with the rail corporation last year over fare hike. In fact, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had even said while flagging off the Pink Line last month that some part of Phase-IV was not viable, hence it will grant permission for routes that are largely beneficial.

The DMRC had sought a nod for three routes- Janakpuri West to RK Ashram, Mukundpur to Maujpur and Aerocity-Tughlakabad. It was planning to initiate work for Phase-IV starting from the Aerocity line, followed by Rithala-Bawana-Narela as it deemed a significant route to the DMRC. It had also put in place tasks like civil design, building architect so as to start the work as soon as it gets a green signal from the government.

Sources in the DMRC said that the government feels these routes will not witness enough passenger traffic to justify the construction cost. “It is also not in a mood to bear the burden of losses after the centre refused to bear the operational cost,” the source claimed.

With the current development, the 104-km long line will miss another deadline of going ahead with the construction.

Source: DNA