Govt gives Rs 1,071 cr boost to Delhi Metro under Delhi Budget 2011

The Delhi Metro Metro will soon have another 103 km on its network, as construction under its ambitious Phase- III project will start this year, Sheila Dikshit announced on Tuesday. The chief minister, while presenting the state budget, allocated Rs. 1,071 crore for the Delhi Metro during 2011- 12.

The Delhi chief minister’s announcement is expected to breathe fresh life into the Phase- III project that has been delayed for quite some time because of the unavailability of funds.

Dikshit announced that the third phase of the Metro would involve a total cost of about Rs. 32,000 crore. Of the Rs. 1,071 crore that has been earmarked for the development of the Metro, Rs. 708 crore will be utilised for Phase- III while the remaining Rs. 363 crore will be the balance for Phase- II, officials said.

In her budget speech, the CM said the completion of the Phase- II of the Metro had evoked a “ huge response” from passengers. More than 16 lakh passengers commute on the Delhi Metro’s 186-km lines daily, she said.

Officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said they welcomed the allocation, though they were yet to analyse the details. “ It is a positive step, though we are awaiting the details of the allocation,” a DMRC officer said.

Earlier, the Union government had promised an allocation of Rs. 1,453 crore to the Delhi Metro in its budget. Of this, Rs. 580 crore has been earmarked for Phase-III. Of the rest, Rs. 771 crore will be spent on Phase- II and the rest for the Airport Express line.