SC pulls up Delhi govt on dues for RRTS corridors

The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Delhi government to show full compliance of its financial commitments under the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), criticising the need to "arm-twist" the state to pay dues for the three corridors connecting Delhi with Meerut, Alwar and Panipat.

- Abraham Thomas

Pulling up the Delhi government for failing to contribute its share under the three projects for the current financial year 2023-24, a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said, "Why do we have to spend time on all this? You have to be arm-twisted about the money that you are required to pay. Why are you doing this?" 

On November 21, the court asked Delhi to respond to an application by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the agency constructing the corridors, which accused the state government of contempt of court for failing to comply with a July 24 order directing Delhi to pay outstanding dues of ₹415 crore for the Delhi-Meerut corridor within two months.

Responding to the application, Delhi government lawyer Jyoti Mendiratta informed the court that on Friday, the Delhi government issued a sanction order for release of ₹415 crore. With this, she added, the total contribution of ₹1,260 crore by Delhi towards the Delhi-Meerut project stood fully complied with.