Bill for Delhi Metro expansion caught in turf war

The proposed law for expansion of Metro rail network in the National Capital Region (NCR) is unlikely to be introduced in the forthcoming Parliament session as it is caught in a turf war between Railways and Urban Development Ministry.  

The proposed Central legislation - Delhi Metro Rail Amendment Bill 2008 - aimed at resolving the legal hurdles arising out of the extension of Metro network to Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana was supposed to be introduced by the Urban Development Ministry in the coming session.  

However, it is learnt that the Railway Ministry wants to pilot the Bill claiming that it is its responsibility and not that of the Urban Development Ministry's.  "Since we are providing safety and technical planning to the proposed extension of Delhi Metro to other cities, it is our responsibility also to introduce the Bill in Parliament," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

When pointed out that the Delhi Metro Operation and Maintenance Act 2002 was piloted by the UD Ministry, the official said "it was confined to Delhi only. But here it is going beyond Delhi."  

Though the draft of the proposed legislation is ready, the stand taken by Railways has delayed the process and a decision has to be taken by the competent authorities to sort out the issue, a senior UD Ministry official said.  

There is a need to amend the Delhi Metro Operation and Maintenance Act 2002 after facing legal hurdles while extending the Delhi Metro Rail to Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon in the absence of a central legislation.  

The proposed Act will empower the Metro rail administration to do what is necessary for the train system's operations.