The Supreme Court has reprimanded the Delhi government for failing to provide funds for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors to Alwar and Panipat. The court warned that if the dues were not paid within a week, the funds allocated for advertisements by the AAP government would be transferred to the project.
The RRTS project aims to establish semi-high speed rail corridors connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Alwar in Rajasthan, and Panipat in Haryana.
The Supreme Court emphasized that while the state government is responsible for budgetary provisions, national projects should not be affected by money spent on advertisements. The court stated that if necessary, the funds allocated for advertisements would be directed to the RRTS project.
In July, the Delhi government’s counsel assured the court that payment would be made towards the project. However, the Supreme Court expressed its disappointment that the government had not fulfilled its assurance and directed it to provide Rs 415 crore for the project within two months.
The court criticized the Delhi government for not complying with its previous orders and warned that advertising revenue would be attached if the funds were not transferred within a week.
The bench expressed displeasure that the government had not sought an extension of time for making the payment and emphasized that the court should not be taken for granted.
The Delhi government had initially refused to contribute funds for the RRTS project, citing a lack of funds. However, the court directed the government to disclose the funds spent on advertisements in the last three years. It was revealed that the government had spent Rs 1,100 crore on advertisements during this period.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is overseeing the execution of the project, which is a joint venture between the central government and the concerned states.
The Delhi-Meerut project is already under construction, and the Delhi government has agreed to pay its share of the costs. However, the government had refused to share the financial burden for the remaining two stretches.
The estimated cost of the 82.15-km stretch is Rs 31,632 crore. The corridor will have 24 stations and is expected to cover the distance from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram, Meerut in 60 minutes.
The Supreme Court has set the next hearing for November 28 and urged the Delhi government to fulfill its obligations and not take the court for granted.
It should be noted that this article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.