Supreme Court Directs Delhi Government to Contribute ₹ 415 Crore for RRTS Project Amid Funding Dispute

While the Delhi-Meerut stretch is already under construction, the Delhi government refused to share the financial burden for the remaining two segments, citing a lack of funds

Yojit

New Delhi, 24 July 2023 ( Updated 24, July, 2023 11:53 AM IST )

The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance against the Delhi government's reluctance to contribute its share towards the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors connecting Alwar and Panipat. The court directed the Delhi government to provide ₹ 415 crore for the project within two months, berating it for shirking its responsibility. The RRTS project, comprising semi-high speed rail corridors linking Delhi to Meerut, Alwar, and Panipat, is a joint venture between the Centre and the respective states involved.

Delhi Government's Reluctance and Court's Rebuke Over RRTS Funding

The court's decision came after the Delhi government expressed its inability to allocate funds for the RRTS project, prompting the court to demand a record of the considerable expenditure on advertisements over the last three years, amounting to ₹ 1,100 crore. Justices S K Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia remarked that the Delhi government's advertising budget surpassed its contribution to the vital infrastructure project, urging them to fulfill their obligations. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, assured the court of payment while requesting the contribution to be allowed in instalments over a reasonable period.

Delhi-Meerut RRTS Progress and Dispute Over Financial Burden

While the Delhi-Meerut stretch is already under construction, the Delhi government refused to share the financial burden for the remaining two segments, citing a lack of funds. However, the court earlier directed the Delhi government to contribute ₹ 500 crore from the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor. The estimated cost of the 82.15-km stretch is ₹ 31,632 crore, providing rapid connectivity with 24 stations from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram, Meerut, in just 60 minutes. Although Delhi will have around 13 km of the corridor, including stations at Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, and Anand Vihar, disagreements over financial support for other stretches continue.

Court's Stand on Shared Responsibility for RRTS Corridors

The court's firm stance reflects the importance of shared responsibility in vital infrastructure projects and aims to ensure the timely and effective execution of the RRTS corridors. With the two-month deadline to provide ₹ 415 crore, the onus is now on the Delhi government to contribute its due share, as other states involved have done. The RRTS project stands to revolutionize regional connectivity and boost economic development, and the court's intervention seeks to resolve funding disputes to drive the project towards successful completion.