AAP govt likely to approve Delhi Metro Phase-IV in next cabinet meeting: Official

The Delhi government is likely to give it's nod to the delayed Phase-IV of Metro rail as its Transport department has started work to prepare a note on the project that will be placed in the next cabinet meeting, a senior official said.

The entire project of 104 km length was delayed by nearly two years. It was estimated to be completed by 2021 after Delhi government's in-principle approval in February 2016. But the Delhi Cabinet is yet to take a final decision on it.

"Transport minister Kailash Gahlot has directed the department to put up a note on Phase-IV of Delhi Metro in next cabinet meeting," the senior Delhi government official said.

Last week, Gahlot had told reporters that the government will soon give it's nod to Delhi Metro Phase-IV project.

The project estimated to cost around Rs 53,000 crore, including cost of coaches, was stuck up due to the AAP dispensation's doubts over financial viability of some of the routes.

"Delhi government's liability in the project stands to around Rs 14,000 crore spread over seven years, " the official said.

The delay in approval to the project had snowballed into a blame game between Delhi government and the Centre, with Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari announcing to donate Rs 1,11,100 to ruling AAP if Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave his nod to the project.

Sources said Delhi government is likely to give it's approval to all the six proposed corridors of the project despite its earlier reservation over financial viability of some of these routes.