RRTS project can't be at Delhi government's mercy: SC

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)-- a corridor between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut-- is "absolutely necessary" and cannot be at the "mercy" of the Delhi government, the Supreme Court said Friday.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta said the project was "essential" for people of Delhi as it would help in de-congesting the roads of the national capital and curbing pollution.

The top court was told that the estimated cost of the project was Rs 31,902 crore and the Delhi government's share was Rs 1,138 crore, which it wants the Centre to pay as it has no funds.

Of the 82.15 kilometre long corridor, Delhi will have a 13 kilometre section with stations at Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar.

Advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in the air pollution matter, told the bench that the "stalemate" continues as the Delhi government wants the Centre to pay their share.

"RRTS is one of the most important projects. This project will help in de-congesting Delhi. No attempt has been made on the part of Delhi government to solve the problem," the amicus said.

The counsel appearing for Delhi government told the court that they have "problem of funds" for the project.

To this, the bench said, "The project cannot depend on your (Delhi government) mercy. It is essential for Delhi. You are bound to give it. You cannot act like this. These are your duties".

"Budgetary allocation cannot come in the way of this project. This affects right to life also," the bench told the Delhi government's lawyer.

The lawyer said that Delhi government was not agreeable to the "revised alignment" of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor due to change of station at Sarai Kale Khan from 'underground' to 'elevated'.

"What study have you (Delhi government) done on this?," the bench asked, adding, "You cannot say you do not want elevated station. It is not for you or the court to decide. It is for the experts to decide. Underground project will cost more".

"In our opinion, this project is absolutely necessary," the bench said.

The court asked Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to convene a joint meeting of all the concerned stake holders within a week so that these issues could be sorted out.

It said that court should be informed about the outcome of the deliberations and posted the matter for further hearing on February 1.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that RRTS project is important as it would help in solving problem of traffic decongestion in Delhi.

In its affidavit filed in the top court, Delhi government said that change of plan by national capital region transport corporation (NCRTC) on revised alignment of the RRTS station "would seriously delay the redevelopment of Sarai Kale Khan ISBT