Delhi Metro phase-IV project can't wait, will pass orders: SC

Stalemate between the Centre and the Delhi government over financial aspects of Delhi Metro's 104-km phase-IV came under the scanner of the Supreme Court which said Monday that it would pass order in the matter as the "project cannot wait".

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta was told by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who is assisting the top court as an amicus curiae in pollution matter, that the project is "critical" and the pending issue should be resolved soon.

Singh referred to a recent report of Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) which said that the approval for "103.94 km phase IV of the Delhi metro has been held up since 2014, when the project was submitted to the Union government for its approval".

The report said: "There is a stalemate in the discussions between the Union Government and the Delhi government on different financial aspects of the project. The Delhi government has on April 10, 2019 communicated its direction that DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) would not start work of Delhi Metro phase-IV till these issues are resolved."
The EPCA, in its report filed in the court, has said that phase-IV of the Delhi Metro is "critical as it will add another 104 km to the network" and "it is designed to join the current network and will densify it and make the system more viable and attractive to commuters."