Delhi Airport Metro project not feasible
Despite knowing that the Airport Metro Express line project was not feasible, the Centre progressed with the project. Certain objections were also raised against the project, but the government did not bother to turn back.
Centre ignores objections
At first, the ministries of Urban Development and Finance had objected the project. In 2006, Public Investment Board (PIB) of the Finance Ministry had opposed the project claiming that the estimated ridership figure of 42,500 passengers daily was highly exaggerated. It may be noted that the lack of ridership was one of the main reasons for Reliance Infra to pull out of the project.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had stated that 82 percent of the total passengers were ready to use the proposed high-speed Metro link, which was not logical. The Finance ministry had questioned about the manner in which the surveys were carried out to estimate the ridership figures. But the DMRC failed to convince the ministry.
The PIB note stated that it is necessary to provide a special metro line to airport. But it stressed on the fact that since the airport is not located far away from the existing Metro lines, laying a new line would not be feasible. Instead, connectivity to the airport can be provided through alternative routes on the normal Metro system so as to provide multiple set of linkages.
The Finance Ministry had also suggested a PPP- Built-Operate-Transfer model for the project, if at all it had to be taken up. The PIB note had also objected to using standard gauge as it involves high cost.
DMRC seeks EGoM’s nod
The DMRC managed to seek the approval of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) without discussing the PIB note, aiming to complete the project before the 2010 Commonwealth Games. After this, the Finance Ministry withdrew the PIB note. It is mandatory for all infrastructure projects to get PIB approval, but in case of Airport Metro, the note was not taken seriously.
Extension of Noida-Vaishali-Dwarka line
The PIB note had also suggested extension of the Noida-Vaishali-Dwarka line to airport. The plan would involve a cost of Rs 608 crore. And a similar link between the airport and Qutub Minar can also be taken up under phase II of the project. It suggested that, the two linkages would provide a multiple set of Metro linkages to the airport. The network would facilitate passengers accessing airport from many areas of Delhi. However, the Centre went on with the Rs 3811 crore project, ignoring the note.
Project leads to loss
Owing to some fault in line, the 22.7 km-long Airport Metro line was closed for around six months, which caused a huge loss of revenue. Another point to be noted is that, as Reliance Infra walked out of the project, as it will now have to pay Rs 1,820 crore as termination payment. The operational losses on the line are also in the range of Rs 5 crore a month.
