SC issues ultimatum to Delhi govt on RRTS project fund

15 Dec 2023 CW Team

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, leading the bench alongside Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, warned the Delhi government counsel, stating, "You will make me reactivate my earlier order." The earlier order, issued on November 21, criticised the Delhi government for not allocating funds to the project and directed the transfer of funds earmarked for advertisements to the RRTS project.

The court temporarily suspended the order for one week at the request of the Delhi government's counsel, with a condition that if the funds are not transferred within the specified period, the order would be enforced.

During the hearing, the bench noted that while the Delhi government claimed to have made budgetary provisions for the Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar corridors, it was awaiting approval from the central government. The bench emphasised that other states had already transferred funds in 2019 and 2020, and the Attorney General confirmed that formal approval from the central government was not an issue.

The court granted the Delhi government seven days to transmit the required amount, cautioning that the government should adhere to the schedule to avoid the revival of the November 21, 2023 order.

The hearing addressed an application highlighting the non-payment of funds by the Delhi government for the RRTS project, executed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture between the Centre and the concerned states.

The bench emphasised that the Delhi government should release the payment, as other states had already done. It expressed concern over the delay, stating that these projects, financed through loans, would incur increased costs with delays.

The court also reiterated the importance of complete compliance with its earlier order, emphasising that the Delhi government should prioritise funding for the RRTS project over budgetary allocations for advertisements. It underscored the discrepancy in budgetary priorities, noting that the government allocated funds for advertisements but struggled to allocate the required amount for the project.

The Delhi government's earlier reluctance to contribute funds led to the court directing it to disclose the funds spent on advertisements in the last three years. The court had noted the government's expenditure of Rs 11 billion on advertisements in the last three financial years.

While the Delhi-Meerut project is already under construction, the Delhi government had initially refused to share the financial burden for the remaining two stretches, citing a lack of funds. The court had directed the government to contribute Rs 5 billion from the Environment Compensation Charge to the RRTS corridor between Delhi and Meerut, with an estimated cost of Rs 316.32 billion for the 82.15 km stretch. The corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Modipuram, Meerut to 60 minutes.

The Supreme Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the delay from the Delhi government in providing funds for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors. It granted the Delhi government a week's time to transfer the required funds for the RRTS project, which involves semi-high-speed rail corridors connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Alwar in Rajasthan, and Panipat in Haryana. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, leading the bench alongside Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, warned the Delhi government counsel, stating, You will make me reactivate my earlier order. The earlier order, issued on November 21, criticised the Delhi government for not allocating funds to the project and directed the transfer of funds earmarked for advertisements to the RRTS project. The court temporarily suspended the order for one week at the request of the Delhi government's counsel, with a condition that if the funds are not transferred within the specified period, the order would be enforced. During the hearing, the bench noted that while the Delhi government claimed to have made budgetary provisions for the Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar corridors, it was awaiting approval from the central government. The bench emphasised that other states had already transferred funds in 2019 and 2020, and the Attorney General confirmed that formal approval from the central government was not an issue. The court granted the Delhi government seven days to transmit the required amount, cautioning that the government should adhere to the schedule to avoid the revival of the November 21, 2023 order. The hearing addressed an application highlighting the non-payment of funds by the Delhi government for the RRTS project, executed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture between the Centre and the concerned states. The bench emphasised that the Delhi government should release the payment, as other states had already done. It expressed concern over the delay, stating that these projects, financed through loans, would incur increased costs with delays. The court also reiterated the importance of complete compliance with its earlier order, emphasising that the Delhi government should prioritise funding for the RRTS project over budgetary allocations for advertisements. It underscored the discrepancy in budgetary priorities, noting that the government allocated funds for advertisements but struggled to allocate the required amount for the project. The Delhi government's earlier reluctance to contribute funds led to the court directing it to disclose the funds spent on advertisements in the last three years. The court had noted the government's expenditure of Rs 11 billion on advertisements in the last three financial years. While the Delhi-Meerut project is already under construction, the Delhi government had initially refused to share the financial burden for the remaining two stretches, citing a lack of funds. The court had directed the government to contribute Rs 5 billion from the Environment Compensation Charge to the RRTS corridor between Delhi and Meerut, with an estimated cost of Rs 316.32 billion for the 82.15 km stretch. The corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Modipuram, Meerut to 60 minutes.